Skip to main content

Full text of "Pliny's natural history in thirty-seven books"

See other formats 


alifornia 

£ional 

ility 


Ex  Libris 
C.  K.  OGDEN 


'; 


PLINY'S 
NATURAL    HISTORY. 


THIRTY-SEVEN   BOOKS. 


A  TRANSLATION 

ON  THE  BASIS  OF  THAT  BY  DR.  PHILEMON  HOLLAND, 
ED.  1601. 


WITH  CRITICAL   AND  EXPLANATORY  NOTES. 


VOL.  II. 


•JrfcttcU  l)i»  ti)c  SHmurian  Club. 


PRINTED  FOR  THE  CLUB 

BY 

GEORGE  BARCLAY,  CASTLE  STREET,  LEICESTER  SQUARE. 
1848-49. 


Stack 
Annex 


PURSUANT  to  a  Resolution  to  the  following  effect,  passed  at  a  meeting  of 
the  Committee  held  on  Wednesday,  the  15th  March,  1848,— 

"  The  best  thanks  of  the  Club  are  hereby  presented  to — 

JONATHAN  COUCH,  Esq.  F.L.S.,  the  Superintending  Editor  of  this 
Publication,  and  Translator  of  the  Work. 

Also  to  the  following  Gentlemen,  viz. : — 

In  the  Department  of  Classics, 

W.  G.  V.  BARNEWALL,  Esq.  M.A. 
Rev.  GEORGE  MUNFORD. 

In  the  Department  of  Geography, 

W.  H.  F.  PLATE,  Esq.  LL.D. 
GEORGE  ALEXANDER,  Esq.  F.S.A. 
CHARLES  MOXON,  Esq. 

In  the  Department  of  Natural  History  and  Physiology, 

C.  J.  B.  ALDIS,  Esq.  M.D. 
C.  R.  HALL,  Esq.  M.D. 
JONATHAN  COUCH,  Esq.  F.L.S. 
JOHN  CHIPPENDALE,  Esq.  F.R.C.S. 

For  the  Editorial  Assistance  rendered  by  them  in  the  preparation  of  the 
accompanying  Work." 


IN   THE   FOURTH    BOOK 


ABE    COMPRISED 

REGIONS,  NATIONS,  SEAS,  TOWNS,   MOUNTAINS,  PORTS,  RIVERS, 

WITH  THEIR  DIMENSIONS,  AND  PEOPLE,   EITHER  NOW 

OR  IN  TIMES  PAST  KNOWN ;    VIZ. : 


CHAP. 

1.  Epirus. 

2.  ^Etolia. 

3.  Locri. 

4.  Peloponnesus. 

5.  Achaia. 

6.  Arcadia. 

7.  Greece  and  Attica. 

8.  Thessaly. 

9.  Magnesia. 

10.  Macedonia. 

11.  Thracia. 

12.  The    Islands    lying    between 

those  Countries :  among 
which,  Creta,  Euboea,  the 
Cyclades,  Sporades :  also, 


CHAP. 

the  Isles  within  Hellespont, 
near  the  Sea  of  Pontus, 
within  Mceotis,  Dacia,  Sar- 
matia,  and  Scythia. 

13.  The  Islands  of  Pontus. 

14.  The  Islands  of  Germany. 

15.  Islands  in  the  French  Ocean. 

16.  Britain  and  Ireland. 

17.  Gaul. 

18.  Gallia  Lugdunensis. 

19.  Aquitain. 

20.  High  Spain  (named  Citerior). 

21.  Portugal. 

22.  Islands  in  the  Ocean. 

23.  The  Measure  of  all  Europe. 


Herein  are  contained  many  principal  Towns  and  Countries,  famous 
Rivers  and  Mountains ;  Islands,  also,  besides  Cities  or  Nations  that  are 
perished :  in  sum,  Histories  and  Observations. 


LATIN  WRITEBS  ABSTRACTED: 

M.  Varro,  Cato  Censoring,  M.  Agrippa,  Divus  Augustus,  Varro  Ata- 
cinus,  Cor.  Nepos,  Hyginus,  L.  Vetus,  Pomponius  Mela,  Licinius  Mutianus, 
Fabricius  Thuscus,  Atteius  Capita,  and  Atteius  Philologus. 

FOREIGN  AUTHORS: 

Polybius,  Hecatceus,  Hellanicus,  Damastes,  Eudoxus,  Dicaearchus, 
Timosthenes,  Ephorus,  Crater  the  Grammarian,  Serapion  of  Antioch,  Cal- 
limachus,  Artemidorus,  Apollodorus,  Agathocles,  Eumachus  Siculus  the 
Musician,  Alexander  Pofyhfetor,  Thucydides,  Dosiades,  Anaximander, 
Philistides,  Mallotes,  Dionysius,  Aristides,  Callidemus,  Menachmus,  JEdas- 
thenes,  Anticlides,  Heraclides,  Philemon,  Menephon,  Pythias,  Isidorus, 
Philonides,  Xenagoras,  Astyonomus,  Staphylus,  Aristocritus,  Metrodorus, 
Ckobulus,  and  Posidonius. 

VOL.  II.  B 


THE  FOURTH   BOOK 

OF    THE 

HISTORY    OF    NATURE 


WRITTEN    BY 


C.   PLINIUS   SECUNDUS. 


From  whence  jirst  arose  all  the  fabulous  Lies,  and  the 
excellent  Learning  of  the  Greeks. 

HE  third  Bay  of  Europe  beginneth  at  the 
Mountains  of  Acroceraunia,  and  endeth  in 
the  Hellespont.  It  containeth,  besides  19 
smaller  Bays,  25,000  Miles.  Within  it  are 
Epirus,  Acarnania,  ^Etolia,  Phocis,  Locris, 
Achaia,  Messania,  Laconia,  Argolis,  Megaris,  Attica, 
Bceotia.  And  again,  from  another  Sea,  the  same  Phocis 
and  Locris,  Doris,  Phthiotis,  Thessalia,  Magnesia,  Ma- 
cedonia, Thracia.  All  the  fabulous  Vein,  as  well  as  the 
illustrious  learning  of  Greece,  proceeded  first  out  of  this 
quarter;  on  which  account  we  will  therein  stay  somewhat 
the  longer.  The  Country  Epirus,  generally  so  called,  be- 
ginneth at  the  Mountains  of  Acroceraunia.  In  it  are,  first, 
the  Chaones,  of  whom  Chaonia  taketh  the  Name  :  then  the 
Thesproti,  and  Antigonenses  :  the  Place  Aornus,  and  Exha- 
lation so  deadly  to  Birds.  The  Cestrini,  and  Perrhcebi,  with 
their  Mountain  Pindus  :  the  Cassiopaei,  the  Dryopes,  Selli, 
Hellopes,  and  Molossi,  among  whom  is  the  Temple  of  Jupiter 


BOOK  IV.]  History  of  Nature.  3 

Dodonceus,  so  famous  for  the  Oracle  :  the  Mountain  To- 
marus,  celebrated  by  Theopompus  for  the  hundred  Fountains 
about  its  foot. 


CHAPTER  I. 
Epirus. 

EPIRUS  itself  reaching  to  Magnesia  and  Macedonia,  hath 
behind  it  the  Dassaretae  above  named,  a  free  Nation;  but 
presently  the  savage  People  of  the  Dardani.  On  the  left 
side  of  the  Dardani,  the  Treballi  and  Nations  of  Mcesia  lie 
ranged  :  from  the  Front  are  joined  to  them,  the  Medi 
and  Denthelatse ;  upon  whom  the  Thraces  border,  who 
reach  as  far  as  to  Pontus.  Thus  it  is  environed  with 
Rhodop£,  and  is  fenced  presently  also  with  the  Heights  of 
Haemus.  In  the  Coast  of  Epirus,  among  the  Acroceraunia, 
is  the  Castle  Cbimsera,  under  which  is  the  Spring  of  the 
King's  Water.  The  Towns  are  Mseandria  and  Cestria  :  the 
River  of  Thesprotia,  Thyamis  :  the  Colony  Buthrotium  : 
and  the  Gulf  of  Ambracia,  above  all  others  most  famous, 
receiving  at  its  Mouth  the  wide  Sea,  39  Miles  in  Length 
and  15  in  Breadth.  Into  it  runneth  the  River  Acheron, 
flowing  out  of  Acherusia,  a  Lake  of  Thesprotia,  36  Miles 
from  thence:  and  the  Bridge  over  it,  1000  Feet  long,  ad- 
mirable to  those  that  admire  all  Things  of  their  own.  In 
the  Gulf  is  the  Town  Ambracia.  The  Rivers  of  the  Molossi, 
Aphas  and  Arachtus.  The  City  Anactoria,  and  the  Lake 
Pandosia.  The  Towns  of  Acarnania,  called  formerly  Curetus, 
are  Heraclea  and  Echinus  :  and  in  the  very  entrance,  Actium, 
a  Colony  of  Augustus,  with  the  noble  Temple  of  Apollo,  and 
the  free  City  Nicopolis.  When  out  of  the  Ambracian  Gulf 
and  in  the  Ionian  Sea,  we  meet  with  the  Leucadian  Coast 
and  the  Promontory  of  Leucat£.  Then  the  Bay,  and  Leu- 
cadia  itself,  a  Peninsula,  once  called  Neritis,  but  by  the 
Labour  of  the  neighbouring  Inhabitants  cut  off  quite  from 
the  Continent,  but  joined  to  it  again  by  means  of  the  Winds 


4  History  of  Nature.  [ BOOK  IV. 

blowing  together  heaps  of  Sand ;  which  Place  is  called 
Dioryctus,  and  is  in  Length  half  a  rnile.  A  Town  in  it  is 
called  Leucas,  formerly  Neritum.  Then  the  Cities  of  the 
Acarnani,  Halyzea,  Stratos,  Argos,  surnamed  Amphilo- 
chicum.  The  River  Achelous  running  out  of  Pindus,  and 
dividing  Acarnania  from  jEtolia  ;  and  by  continual  addition 
of  Earth  joining  the  Island  Artemita  to  the  main  Land. 

CHAPTER  II. 
JEtolia. 

THE  jEtolian  People  are  the  Athamanes,  Tymphei, 
Ephiri,  ^Enienses,  Perrhoebi,  Dolopes,  Maraces  and  Atraces, 
from  whom  the  River  Atrax  falleth  into  the  Ionian  Sea. 
The  Town  Calydon  in  .ZEtolia  is  seven  Miles  and  a  half  from 
the  Sea,  near  to  the  River  Evenus.  Then  followeth  Ma- 
cynia  and  Molychria  ;  behind  which  Chalcis  standeth,  and 
the  Mountain  Taphiassus.  But  in  the  Borders,  the  Pro- 
montory Antirrhium,  where  is  the  Mouth  of  the  Corinthian 
Gulf,  not  a  Mile  broad  where  it  runneth  in  and  divideth 
the  ^Etoli  from  Peloponnesus.  The  Promontory  that  shooteth 
out  against  it  is  named  Rhion  :  but  in  the  Corinthian  Gulf 
are  the  Towns  of  ^Etolia,  Naupactum,  and  Pylene  :  and  in 
the  Midland  parts,  Pleuron,  Halysarna.  The  Mountains  of 
name :  in  Dodone,  Tomarus :  in  Ambracia,  Grania :  in 
Acarnania,  Aracynthus  :  in  jEtolia,  Acanthon,  Pansetolium, 
and  Macinium. 

CHAPTER  III. 
Locri. 

NEXT  to  the  ^Etoli  are  the  Locri,  surnamed  Ozolse,  free  : 
the  Town  Oeanthe  :  the  Port  of  Apollo  Phcestius :  the  Bay 
Crissaeus.  Within,  the  Towns  Argyna,  Eupalia,  Phaestum, 
and  Calamissus.  Beyond  are  Cirrhaei,  the  Plains  of  Phocis, 
the  Town  Cirrha,  the  Port  Chalseon  :  from  which,  seven 
Miles  within  the  Land,  is  the  free  City  Delphi,  under  the 


BOOK  IV.]  History  of  Nature.  5 

Mountain  Parnassus,  the  most  illustrious  Place  upon  Earth 
for  the  Oracle  of  Apollo.  The  Fountain  Castalius,  the  River 
Cephissus,  running  before  Delphos,  which  ariseth  in  a  former 
City,  Liloea.  Moreover,  the  Town  Crissa,  and  together  with 
the  Bulenses,  Anticyra,  Naulochum,  Pyrrha,  Amphissa,  a 
free  State,  Trichone,  Tritea,  Ambrysus,  the  Region  Drymaea, 
named  Daulis.  Then,  at  the  bottom  of  the  Bay,  the  Angle 
of  Breotia  is  washed  by  the  Sea,  with  the  Towns  Siphae  and 
Thebae,  which  are  surnamed  Corsicae,  near  to  Helicon.  The 
third  Town  of  Boeotia  from  this  Sea  is  Pagae,  from  whence 
projecteth  the  Neck  of  Peloponnesus. 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Peloponnesus. 

PELOPONNESUS,  called  formerly  Apia  and  Pelasgia,  is  a 
Peninsula,  worthy  to  come  behind  no  other  Land  for  noble- 
ness ;  lying  between  two  Seas,  ^Egeum  and  Ionium  :  like 
the  Leaf  of  a  Plane  Tree1,  in  regard  of  the  indented  Creeks 
thereof:  it  beareth  a  circuit  of  563  Miles,  according  to 
Isidorus.  The  same,  if  you  comprise  the  Creeks,  addeth 
almost  as  much  more.  The  Straits  whence  it  passeth  is 
called  Isthmos.  In  which  Place  the  Seas  above-named, 
bursting  from  various  ways,  from  the  North  and  the  East, 
devour  all  the  Breadth  of  it  there :  until,  by  the  contrary 
running  in  of  such  Seas,  the  Sides  on  both  hands  being 
eaten  away,  and  leaving  a  Space  between,  five  Miles  over, 
Hellas,  with  a  narrow  Neck,  meeteth  with  Peloponnesus. 
The  one  Side  thereof  is  called  the  Corinthian  Gulf,  the 
other,  the  Saronian.  Lecheum  on  the  one  hand,  arid  Cen- 
chreae  on  the  other,  are  the  Bounds  of  the  Straits :  where 
such  Ships  as  for  their  bigness  cannot  be  conveyed  over  upon 
Waggons,  make  a  great  compass  about  with  some  Danger. 
For  which  cause,  Demetrius  the  King,  Ccesar  the  Dictator, 

1  Dionysius,  the  geographer,  also  compares  the  form  of  the  Morea,  or 
ancient  Peloponnesus,  to  the  leaf  of  a  plane-tree,  making  the  footstalk  to 
be  the  isthmus  by  which  it  is  joined  to  Greece.  And  in  Martyn's  "  Virgil," 
a  figure  of  this  leaf  is  engraved  to  illustrate  the  subject. —  Wern.  Club. 


6  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  IV. 

Prince  Cams,  and  Domitius  Nero,  endeavoured  to  cut 
through  the  narrow  portions,  and  make  a  navigable  Channel : 
but  the  attempt  was  unhappy,  as  appeared  by  the  issue  of 
them  all.  In  the  midst  of  this  narrow  Strait  which  we 
have  called  Isthmos,  the  Colony  Corinthus,  formerly  called 
Ephyra,  situated  on  a  little  Hill,  is  inhabited,  three  score 
Stadia  from  each  Shore  :  which  from  the  top  of  its  Citadel, 
which  is  named  Acrocorinthus,  wherein  is  the  Fountain 
Pirene,  hath  a  prospect  into  both  those  opposite  Seas. 
Through  the  Corinthian  Gulf  is  a  Passage  from  Leucas  to 
Patrae,  of  87  Miles.  Patrae,  a  Colony,  built  upon  the  Pro- 
montory of  Peloponnesus  that  shooteth  furthest  into  the 
Sea,  over  against  ^Etolia  and  the  River  Evenus,  of  less  dis- 
tance, as  hath  been  said,  than  a  Mile,  in  the  very  entrance, 
sendeth  out  the  Corinthian  Gulf  85  Miles  in  Length,  even 
as  far  as  Isthmos. 

CHAPTER  V. 
Achaia. 

ACHAIA,  the  name  of  a  Province,  beginneth  at  the 
Isthmus:  formerly  it  was  called  ^Egialos,  because  of  the 
Cities  disposed  in  order  upon  the  Strand.  The  first  there  is 
Lecheae  above  named,  a  Port  of  Lechese  of  the  Corinthians. 
Next  to  it  Oluros,  a  Castle  of  the  Pellenaei.  The  Towns, 
Helice,  Bura,  and  (into  which  the  Inhabitants  retired  when 
these  before-named  were  swallowed  up  in  the  Sea)  Sicyon, 
jEgira,  ^Egion,  and  Erineos.  Within,  Cleone  and  Hysiae. 
Also  the  Port  Panhormus,  and  Rhiurn,  described  before  : 
from  which  Promontory,  five  Miles  off,  standeth  Patrae, 
above  mentioned,  and  the  Place  called  Pherse.  Of  nine 
Mountains  in  Achaia,  Scioessa  is  most  known ;  also  the 
Spring  Cymothoe.  Beyond  Patrae  is  the  Town  Olenum,  the 
Colony  Dymae.  Places  called  Buprasium  and  Hinnene : 
and  the  Promontory  Araxum.  The  Bay  of  Cyllene,  the 
Cape  Chelonates:  from  whence  to  Cyllene  is  two  Miles. 
The  Castle  Phlius.  The  Tract  also  by  Homer  named 
Arethyrea,  and  afterwards  Asophis :  then  the  Country  of 


BOOK  IV.]  History  of  Nature.  7 

the  Elii,  who  before  were  called  Epei.  Elis  itself  is  in  the 
Midland,  12  Miles  from  Pylos.  Within  is  the  Shrine  of 
Jupiter  Olympius,  which,  for  the  fame  of  the  Games  there, 
containeth  the  Calendars  of  the  Greeks  (fasti)  :  also,  the 
former  Town  of  the  Pisaei,  before  which  the  River  Alpheus 
runneth  :  but  in  the  Borders,  the  Promontory  Icthys.  The 
River  Alpheus  is  navigated  to  the  Towns  Aulos  and  Leprion. 
The  Promontory  Platanestus.  All  these  lie  Westward.  But 
towards  the  South,  the  Bay  Cyparissius,  the  City  Cyparissa, 
72  Miles  in  circuit.  The  Towns,  Pylos,  Methone,  a  Place 
called  Helos  :  the  Promontory  Acritas  :  the  Bay  Asinaeus  of 
the  Town  Asinum,  and  Coronaeus  of  Corone  :  and  these  are 
bounded  by  the  Promontory  Jaenarus.  There  also  is  the 
Region  Messenia  with  22  Mountains  :  the  River  Paomisus. 
But  within,  Messene  itself,  Ithome,  Occhalia,  Arene,  Pteleon, 
Thryon,  Dorion,  Zanclum,  famous  at  various  times.  The 
Compass  of  this  Bay  is  80  Miles,  the  Passage  over  30  Miles. 
Then  from  Taenarus,  the  Laconian  Land  pertaining  to  a  free 
People,  and  a  Bay  there  in  circuit  about  206  Miles,  but  39 
Miles  over.  The  Towns  Taenarum,  Amiclae,  Pherae,  Leuctra, 
and  within,  Sparta,  Theranicurn :  and  where  stood  Car- 
damyle,  Pitane,  and  Anthane.  The  Place  Thyrea,  and 
Gerania  :  the  Mountain  Taygetus  :  the  River  Eurotas,  the 
Bay  jEgylodes,  and  the  Town  Psamrnathus.  The  Bay 
Gytheates,  of  a  Town  thereby  (Gythaeum),  from  whence  to 
the  Island  Creta  there  is  a  very  direct  course.  All  these 
are  enclosed  within  the  Promontory  Maleum.  The  Bay 
next  following  to  Scyllaeus  is  called  Argolicus,  and  is  50  Miles 
over,  and  172  Miles  round.  The  Towns  upon  it,  Boea, 
Epidaurus,  Limera,  named  also  Zarax :  the  Port  Cyphanta. 
Rivers,  Inachus,  Erasinus  :  between  which  standeth  Argos, 
surnamed  Hippium,  upon  the  Lake  Lerne,  from  the  sea  two 
Miles,  and,  nine  Miles  further,  Mycenae.  Also,  where  they 
say  Tiryntha  stood,  and  the  Place  Mantinea.  Mountains, 
Artemius,  Apesantus,  Asterion,  Parparus,  and  1 1  others 
besides.  Fountains,  Niobe,  Amymone,  Psammothe.  From 
Scyllatmm  to  the  Isthmus,  177  Miles.  Towns,  Hermione, 
Troazen,  Coryphasium,  and  Argos.  called  of  some  Inachium, 


8  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  IV. 

of  others  Dipsium.  The  Port  Csenites,  the  Bay  Saronicus, 
encircled  in  old  Time  with  a  Grove  of  Oaks,  from  whence  it 
had  the  Name,  for  so  old  Greece  called  an  Oak.  Within  it 
the  Town  Epidaurum,  celebrated  for  the  Shrine  of  JEscu- 
lapius ;  the  Promontory  Spiraeum,  the  Harbours  Anthedon 
and  Bucephalus  :  and  likewise  Cenchreae,  which  we  spoke  of 
before,  being  the  other  limit  of  the  Isthmus,  with  the  Shrine 
of  Neptune,  famous  for  its  Games  every  five  Years.  So 
many  Bays  cut  up  the  Peloponnesian  Coast :  so  many  Seas 
roar  against  it.  For  on  the  North  side  the  Ionian  Sea 
breaketh  in  :  on  the  West  it  is  beaten  upon  by  the  Sicilian. 
From  the  South  the  Crethean  Sea  driveth  against  it :  the 
^Egean  from  the  South-east,  and  Myrtoan  on  the  North- 
east, which  beginning  at  the  Megarian  Bay,  washeth  all 
Attica. 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Of  Arcadia. 

THE  midland  Parts  of  this,  Arcadia  most  of  all  taketh 
up,  being  every  way  remote  from  the  Sea  :  at  the  beginning 
it  was  named  Drymodis,  but  soon  after  Pelasgis.  The 
Towns  in  it  are  Psophis,  Mantinea,  Stymphalum,  Tegea, 
Antigonea,  Orchomenum,  Pheneum,  Palatium,  from  whence 
the  Mount  Palatium  at  Rome  took  the  Name,  Megalepolis, 
Catina,  Bocalium,  Carmon,  Parrhasiae,  Thelphusa,  Melanaea, 
Heraea,  Pile,  Pellana,  Agree,  Epium,  Cynsetha,  Lepreon  of 
Arcadia,  Parthenium,  Alea,  Methydrium,  Enespe,  Macistum, 
Lampe,  Clitorium,  Cleone  ;  between  which  Towns  is  the 
Tract  Nemea,  usually  called  Berubinadia.  Mountains  in 
Arcadia,  Pholoe,  with  the  Town :  also  Cyllene,  Lyceus, 
wherein  the  Shrine  of  Jupiter  Lyceus,  Maenalus,  Artemisius, 
Parthenius,  Lampeus,  and  Nonacris :  and  eight  besides  of 
base  account.  Rivers,  Ladon,  issuing  out  of  the  Fens  of 
Pheneus,  Erymanthus  out  of  a  Mountain  of  the  same  Name, 
running  both  down  into  Alpheus.  The  rest  of  the  Cities  to 
be  named  in  Achaea,  Aliphiraei,  Albeatae,  Pyrgerises,  Pareatae, 
Paragenitise,  Tortuni,  Typanaei,  Thryasii,  Trittenses.  All 


BOOK  IV.]  History  of  Nature.  9 

Achaea  Domitius  Nero  endowed  with  Freedom.  Pelo- 
ponnesus, from  the  Promontory  of  Malea  to  the  Town 
Lechseum  upon  the  Corinthian  Bay,  lieth  in  Breadth  160 
Miles:  but  across,  from  Elis  to  Epidaurum,  125  Miles: 
from  Olympia  to  Argos,  through  Arcadia,  63  Miles :  from 
the  same  Place  to  Phlius  is  the  said  measure.  And  the 
whole,  as  if  Nature  weighed  out  a  Recompense  for  the 
irruptions  of  the  Seas,  riseth  up  into  three  score  and  sixteen 
Mountains. 

CHAPTER  VII. 
Greece  and  Attica. 

FROM  the  Straits  of  the  Isthmus  beginneth  Hellas,  by  our 
Countrymen  called  Graecia.  The  first  Tract  thereof  is  Attica, 
in  old  Time  named  Acte.  It  reacheth  the  Isthmus  on  that 
Part  of  it  which  is  called  Megaris,  from  the  Colony  Megara, 
from  the  Region  of  the  Pagae.  These  two  Towns,  as  Pelo- 
ponnesus lieth  out  in  Length,  are  seated  on  either  Hand,  as 
it  were,  upon  the  Shoulders  of  Hellas.  The  Pagaei,  and 
more  especially  the  ^Egosthenienses,  lie  annexed  to  the 
Magarensians.  In  the  Coast  is  the  Harbour  Schoenus. 
Towns,  Sidus,  Cremyon,  the  Scironian  Rocks  for  three  Miles 
long,  Geranea,  Megara,  and  Elcusin.  There  were  besides, 
CEnoa  and  Probalinthus,  which  now  are  52  Miles  from 
the  Isthmus.  Pyraeeus  and  Phalera,  two  Ports  joined  to 
Athens  by  a  Wall,  within  the  Land  five  Miles.  This  City 
is  free,  and  needeth  no  more  any  Man's  praise :  so  abund- 
antly noble  it  is.  In  Attica  are  these  Fountains,  Cephissia, 
Larine,  Callirrhoe,  and  Enneacreunos.  Mountains,  Brilessus, 
Megialcus,  Icarius,  Hymettus,  and  Lyrabetus  :  the  River 
Ilissos.  From  Pyraeeus  42  Miles  is  the  Promontory 
Sunium  ;  likewise  the  Promontory  Doriscum.  Also  Po- 
tamos  and  Brauron,  Towns  in  time  past.  The  Village 
Rhamnus,  the  Place  Marathon,  the  Plain  Thriastius,  the 
Town  Melita  and  Oropus,  in  the  Border  of  Bceotia.  To 
which  belong  Anthedon,  Onchestos,  Thesprae,  a  free  Town, 
Lebadea :  and  Thebes,  surnamed  Boeotia,  not  inferior  in 


10  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  IV. 

Fame  to  Athens,  as  being  the  native  Country  (as  Men  will 
have  it)  of  two  Gods,  Liber  and  Hercules.  Also,  they  attribute 
the  Birth  of  the  Muses  to  the  Grove  Helicon.  To  this  Thebes 
is  assigned  the  Forest  Cithaeron  and  the  River  Ismenus. 
Moreover,  Fountains  in  Boeotia,  (Edipodium.  Psammat£, 
Dirce,  Epigranea,  Arethusa,  Hippocrene,  Aganippe,  and 
Gargaphise.  Mountains,  besides  the  forenamed,  Mycalessus, 
Adylisus,  Acontius.  The  rest  of  the  Towns  between  Megara 
and  Thebes,  Eleutherse,  Haliartus,  Plateae,  Pherse,  Aspledon, 
Hyle,  Thisbe,  Erythrse,  Glissas,  and  Copse.  Near  the  River 
Cephissus,  Lamia  and  Anichia :  Medeon,  Phligone,  Grephis, 
Coronsea,  Chseronia.  But  in  the  Borders,  beneath  Thebes, 
Ocal£,  Elseon,  Scolos,  Scoenos,  Peteon,  Hyrie,  Mycalessus, 
Hyreseon,  Pteleon,  Olyros,  Tanagia,  a  free  People ;  and  in 
the  very  Mouth  of  Euripus,  which  the  Island  Euboea  maketh 
by  its  opposite  Site,  Aulis,  renowned  for  its  large  Har- 
bour. The  Boeotians  in  old  Time  were  named  Hyantes. 
The  Locrians  also  are  named  Epicnemidii,  in  Times  past 
Letegetes,  through  whom  the  River  Cephissus  runneth  into 
the  Sea.  Towns,  Opus  (whereof  cometh  the  Opuntinean 
Bay),  and  Cynus.  Upon  the  Sea-coast  of  Phocis,  one 
Daphnus.  Within,  among  the  Locrians,  Elatea,  and  upon 
the  Bank  of  Cephissus  (as  we  have  said)  Lilaea :  and  toward 
Delphos,  Cnemis  and  Hiampolis.  Again,  the  Borders  of 
the  Locrii,  wherein  stand  Larymna  and  Thronium,  near 
which  the  River  Boagrius  falleth  into  the  Sea.  Towns, 
Narycion,  Alope,  Scarphia.  After  this,  the  Vale,  called 
by  the  People  there  dwelling,  Maliacus  Sinus,  wherein  are 
these  Towns,  Halcyone,  Econia,  and  Phalara.  Then  Doris, 
wherein  are  Sperchios,  Erineon,  Boion,  Pindus,  Cytinum. 
On  the  Back  of  Doris  is  the  Mountain  (Eta.  Then  fol- 
loweth  jEmonia  that  so  often  hath  changed  Name  :  for 
the  same  hath  been  called  Pelasgicum,  Argos,  and  Hellas, 
Thessalia  also,  and  Dryopis,  and  evermore  it  took  the  Name 
of  the  Kings.  In  it  was  born  a  King  called  Gr&cus,  from 
whom  Greece  was  named  :  there  also  was  Hellen  born, 
from  whence  came  the  Hellenes.  These  being  but  one 
People,  Homer  hath  called  by  three  Names:  Myrmidons, 


BOOK  IV.]  History  of  Nature.  11 

Hellenae,  and  Achaei.  Of  these,  they  are  called  Phthiotae 
who  inhabit  Doris.  Their  Towns  are  Echinus,  in  the  entrance 
of  the  River  Sperchius :  and  the  Straits  of  Thermopylae,  so 
named  by  reason  of  the  Waters  :  and,  four  Miles  from 
thence,  Heraclea  was  called  Trachin.  There  is  the  Mountain 
Callidromus :  and  the  famous  Towns,  Hellas,  Halos,  Lamia, 
Phthia,  and  Arne. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
Thessalia. 

MOREOVER,  in  Thessalia,  Orchomenus,  formerly  called 
Minyeus  ;  and  the  Town  Almon,  by  some  Elmon  ;  Atrax, 
Pelinna,  and  the  Fountain  Hyperia.  Towns,  Pherae,  behind 
which  Pierius  stretcheth  forth  to  Macedonia:  Larissa,  Gomphi, 
Thebes  of  Thessalia,  the  Grove  Pteleon,  and  the  Bay  Pa- 
gasicus.  The  Town  Pagasa,  the  same  named  afterwards 
Demetrias  ;  Tricca,  the  Pharsalian  Plains,  with  a  free  City  : 
Cranon,  and  Iletia.  Mountains  of  Phthiotis,  Nymphaeus, 
beautiful  for  the  natural  Harbours  and  Garden-works  there  : 
Buzigaeus,  Donacesa,  Bermius,  Daphista,  Chimerion,  Atha- 
mas,  Stephane.  In  Thessalia  there  are  34,  of  which  the 
most  famous  are  Cerceti,  Olympus,  Pierus,  Ossa  :  over 
against  which  is  Pindus  and  Othrys,  the  Seat  of  the  Lapithae ; 
and  those  lie  toward  the  West :  but  Eastward,  Pelios  ;  all  of 
them  bending  in  the  manner  of  a  Theatre  :  and  before  them, 
in  form  of  a  Wedge,  72  Cities.  Rivers  of  Thessalia, 
Apidanus,  Phrenix,  Enipeus,  Onochomus,  Pamisus  :  the 
Fountain  Messeis,  the  Lake  Boebeis :  and  illustrious  above 
all  the  rest,  Peneus,  which,  rising  near  Gomphi,  runneth 
for  500  Stadia  in  a  woody  Dale  between  Ossa  and  Olympus, 
and  half  that  Way  is  navigable.  In  this  Course  are  the 
Places  called  Tempe,  five  Miles  in  Length,  and  almost  an 
Acre  and  a  half  Broad,  where  on  both  Hands  the  Hills  arise 
by  a  gentle  Ascent  above  the  reach  of  Man's  Sight.  Within, 
Peneus  glideth  by,  in  a  fresh  green  Grove,  clear  as  Crystal, 
over  the  gravelly  Stones ;  pleasant  for  the  Grass  upon  the 
Banks,  and  melodious  with  the  Harmony  of  Birds.  It 


1 2  History  of  Na  ture.  [  Boo K  I V . 

taketh  in  the  River  Eurotas,  but  receiveth  him  not,  but,  as 
Homer  expresseth  it1,  floweth  over  him  like  Oil:  and  within  a 
very  little  while  rejecteth  the  Burden,  as  refusing  to  mingle 
with  his  own  silver  Streams  those  penal  and  cursed  Waters 
so  direfully  produced. 

CHAPTER  IX. 
Magnesia. 

To  Thessalia,  Magnesia  is  annexed  :  the  Fountain  there 
is  Libethra.  The  Towns,  lolchos,  Hirmenium,  Pyrrha, 
Methone,  Olizon.  The  Promontory  Sepias.  Towns,  Cas- 
tana,  Sphalatra,  and  the  Promontory  .ZEnantium.  Towns, 
Meliboea,  Rhisus,  Erymne.  The  Mouth  of  Peneus.  Towns, 
Homolium,  Orthe,  Thespiae,  Phalanna,  Thaumaciae,  Gyrton, 
Cranon,  Acarne,  Dotion,  Melitaea,  Phylace,  Potinae.  The 
Length  of  Epirus,  Achaia,  Attica,  and  Thessalia,  lying  strait 
out,  is  by  report  480  Miles,  the  Breadth  287. 

CHAPTER  X. 
Macedonia. 

MACEDONIA,  so  called  afterwards  (formerly  it  was  named 
Emathia)  is  a  Kingdom,  consisting  of  150  several  People, 
renowned  for  two  Kings,  and  once  ennobled  for  the  Empire 
of  the  World.  This  Country  passing  behind  Magnesia  and 
Thessalia  toward  the  Nations  of  Epirus  Westward,  is  much 
troubled  with  the  Dardani.  The  North  Parts  thereof  are 
defended  by  Paeonia  and  Pelagonia,  against  the  Triballi. 
The  Towns  are  these,  -^ge,  wherein  it  was  the  Custom  to  inter 

1  As  Homer  expresseth  it.     See  "  Iliad,"  b.  750 : — 

"  To  these  were  join'd,  who  till  the  pleasant  fields 
Where  Titaresius  winds  :  the  gentle  flood 
Pours  into  Peneus  all  his  limpid  stores, 
But  with  the  silver-eddied  Peneus  flows 
Unmixt  as  oil ;  for  Stygian  is  his  stream, 
And  Styx  is  the  inviolable  oath. 

COWPEE'S  Homer. —  Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  IV.]  History  of  Nature.  13 

their  Kings  :  Beroea,  and  ^Eginium,  in  that  Quarter  which, 
from  the  Wood,  is  called  Pieria.  In  the  Borders,  Heraclea, 
and  the  River  Apilas  :  Towns,  Phina  and  Oloros  :  the  River 
Haliacmon.  Within  are  the  Haloritse,  the  Vallei,  Phylacei, 
Cyrrhestae,  Tyrissaei :  Pella,  the  Colony  :  the  Town  Stobi,  of 
Roman  Citizens.  Presently,  Antigonia,  Europus,  upon  the 
River  Axius,  and  another  of  the  same  Name,  through  which 
Rhaedias  runneth  :  Heordese,  Scydra,  Mieza,,  Gordinise.  Soon 
after,  in  the  Borders,  Ichnae ;  and  the  River  Axius.  To  this 
Extremity  the  Dardani :  Treres  and  Pieres  border  upon 
Macedonia.  From  this  River  are  the  Nations  of  Paeonia, 
Parorei,  Heordenses,  Almopii,  Pelagones,  and  Mygdones. 
The  Mountains  Rhodope,  Scopius,  and  Orbelus.  Then  the 
Lap  of  the  Earth  spreading  along,  Arethusii,  Antiochienses, 
Idomenenses,  Doberienses,  Trienses,  Allantenses,  Andari- 
stenses,  Moryllii,  Garesci,  Lyncestae,  Othrionei,  and  the  free 
States  of  the  Amantini  and  Orestae.  Colonies,  Bulledensis 
and  Diensis.  Xilopolitae,  Scotussaei,  free ;  Heraclea,  Sintica, 
Tymphei,  and  Coronaei.  In  the  Coast  of  the  Macedonian 
Bay,  the  Town  Calastra,  and  within,  Phileros,  and  Lete  : 
and  in  the  middle  bending  of  the  Coast,  Thessalonica,  of 
free  condition.  To  it  from  Dyrrhachium,  is  114  Miles; 
Thermae.  In  the  Bay  Thermaicus,  are  these  Towns,  Dicaea, 
Pydna,  Derrha,  Scione  :  the  Promontory  Canastraeum. 
Towns,  Pallene,  Phlerga.  In  which  Region  these  Moun- 
tains, Hypsizorus,  Epitus,  Alchione,  Leuomne.  Towns, 
Nissos,  Brygion,  Eleon,  Mendae,  and  in  the  Isthmus  of  Pal- 
lene, the  Colony  sometime  called  Potidsea,  and  now  Cas- 
sandria ;  Anthemus,  the  Bay  Holophyxus,  and  Mecyberna ; 
Towns,  Phiscella,  Ampelos,  Torone,  and  Singos  :  the  Creek 
(where  Xerxes,  King  of  the  Persians,  cut  the  Mountain 
Athos  from  the  Continent),  in  Length  a  Mile  and  a  half. 
The  Mountain  itself  shooteth  out  from  the  Plain  into  the 
Sea,  75  Miles.  The  Compass  of  the  Foot  thereof  taketh 
150  Miles.  A  Town  there  was  on  the  Summit,  Acroton. 
Now  there  be  Vranopolis,  Palaeotrium,  Thyssus,  Cleon&, 
Apollonia,  the  Inhabitants  whereof  are  named  Macrobii.  The 
Town  Cassera,  and  a  second  Gullet  of  the  Isthmus,  Acan- 


14  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  IV. 

thus,  Stagira,  Sitone,  Heraclea,  and  the  Region  lying  under 
Mygdonia,  wherein  are,  receding  from  the  Sea,  Apollonia 
and  Arethusa.  Again,  in  the  Coast,  Posidium,  and  a  Bay, 
with  the  Town  Cermorus :  Amphipolis,  a  free  State,  and  the 
Nation  Bisaltae.  Then,  the  River  Strymon,  which  is  the 
Bound  of  Macedonia,  and  which  springeth  in  Haemus  :  of 
which  this  is  worthy  to  be  remembered,  that  it  runneth  into 
seven  Lakes  before  it  keepeth  a  direct  Course.  This  is 
Macedonia,  which  once  obtained  the  Dominion  over  all  the 
Earth  :  this  overran  Asia,  Armenia,  Iberia,  Albania,  Cappa- 
docia,  Syria,  Egypt,  Taurus,  and  Caucasus :  this  ruled  over 
the  Bactri,  Medi,  and  Persi,  and  possessed  all  the  East : 
this  having  the  Conquest  of  India,  wandered  through  the 
Tracts  of  Father  Liber  and  Hercules.  This  is  the  very 
same  Macedonia,  of  which  in  one  Day  Paulus  jEmylius, 
our  Imperator,  sold  72  plundered  Cities.  So  great  a 
Difference  of  Fortune  befel  two  Men. 

CHAPTER  XI. 
Thracia. 

Now  followeth  Thracia,  among  the  most  valiant  Nations  of 
Europe,  divided  into  52  Regiments  (strategias)  of  Soldiers. 
Of  those  People  in  it,  whom  it  does  not  grieve  me  to  name, 
the  Denseletes  and  Medi  inhabit  near  the  River  Strymon,  on 
the  right  Side,  as  far  as  to  the  Bisaltae  above-named :  on  the 
left,  the  Digeri,  and  many  Names  of  the  Bessi,  to  the  River 
Nestus,  which  environeth  the  Bottom  of  the  Mountain  Pan- 
gaeus,  between  the  Eleti,  Diobesi,  and  Carbilesi ;  and  so 
forward  to  the  Brysae  and  Capaei.  Odomanta,  a  Nation  of 
the  Odrysae,  poureth  out  the  River  Hebrus  to  the  Neighbour- 
borderers,  the  Carbiletes,  Pyrogeri,  Drugeri,  Csenici,  Hyp- 
salti,  Beni,  Corpilli,  Botisei,  and  Edoni.  In  the  same  Tract 
are  the  Selletae,  Priautse,  Diloncae,  Thyni,  Celetae,  the  greater 
under  Haemus,  the  less  under  Rhodopae  :  between  whom 
runneth  the  River  Hebrus.  The  Town  situate  beneath  Rho- 
dop£,  before-time  named  Poneropolis ;  soon  after  by  the 
Founder,  Philippopolis  ;  but  now,  from  its  Site,  Trimontium. 


BOOK  IV.]  History  of  Nature.  15 

The  Elevation  of  Haemus  taketh  six  Miles  :  the  Back  and 
declining  thereof  down  to  Ister,  the  Mo3si,  Getse,  Aoti, 
Gaudse,  and  Clarise,  and  under  them  the  Arraei,  Sarmatae, 
whom  they  call  Areatae,  and  Scythae  :  and  about  the  Sea- 
coast  of  Pontus,  the  Moriseni  and  Sithonii,  from  whom  the 
Poet  Orpheus  descended,  do  inhabit.  Thus  Ister  boundeth 
it  on  the  North  :  in  the  East,  Pontus  and  Propontus :  South- 
ward, the  Sea  ^Egaeum,  in  the  Coast  of  which,  from  Strymon, 
stand  Apollonia,  (Estima,  Neapolis,  and  Polis.  Within,  the 
Colony  of  Philip ;  and  325  Miles  from  Dyrrhachium,  Sco- 
tusa,  Topiris,  and  the  Mouth  of  the  River  Nestus.  The 
Mountain  Pangaeus,  Heraclea,  Olynthos  Abdera,  a  free  City ; 
the  Marsh  and  Nation  of  the  Bistoni.  There  stood  the  Town 
Tinda,  terrible  for  the  Stables  of  the  Horses  of  Diomedes. 
Now  there  are  the  Diceae,  Ismaron,  the  Place  Parthenion, 
Phalesina,  Maronea,  called  Ortagurea  before-time.  The 
Mountain  Serrium  and  Zonae :  then,  the  Place  Doriscus, 
able  to-  receive  1 0,000  *  Men  :  for  so  there  Xerxes  numbered 
over  his  Army.  The  Mouth  of  Hebrus  :  the  Port  of  Stentor: 
the  free  Town  ./Enea,  with  the  Tomb  of  Polydorus ;  the 
Region,  sometime,  of  the  Cicones.  From  Doriscus,  the 
Coast  bendeth  to  Macron-Tichos  for  122  Miles.  About 
which  Place  the  River  Melas,  from  which  the  Bay  taketh  its 
Name.  Towns,  Cypsella,  Bisanthe,  and  that  which  is  called 
Macron-Tichos,  whence  stretching  forth  the  Walls  from  Pro- 
pontis  to  the  Bay  Melanes,  between  two  Seas,  it  excludeth 
Cherronesus  as  it  runneth  out.  For  Thracia,  on  one  Side, 
beginning  at  the  Sea-coast  of  Pontus,  where  the  River  Ister 
is  discharged,  hath  in  that  Quarter  the  very  beautiful  Cities, 
Istropolis  of  the  Milesii,  Tomi,  and  Calatis,  which  before 
was  called  Acernetis.  It  had  Heraclea  and  Bizon,  which 
was  destroyed  in  a  Chasm  of  the  Earth ;  now  it  hath  Diony- 
sopolis,  formerly  called  Crunos.  The  River  Ziras  runneth  by 
it.  All  that  Tract,  the  Scythians  named  Aroteres  possessed. 
Their  TOWIJS,  Aphrodisius,  Libistos,  Zigere,  Borcobe,  Eu- 
menia,  Parthenopolis,  Gerania,  where  it  is  reported  were  the 

1  Or  100,000. 


16  History  of  Nature.  [ BOOK  IV. 

Nation  of  the  Pygmei1,  whom  the  Barbarians  call  Catizi,  and 
they  believe  that  they  were  chased  away  by  Cranes.  In  the 
Borders  from  Dionysopolis  is  Odessus  of  the  Milesii ;  the  River 
Pomiscus,  the  Town  Tetranaulochos  :  the  Mountain  Haemus 
bending  down  with  a  huge  Top  into  Pontus,  had  in  the  Sum- 
mit the  Town  Aristseum.  Now  in  the  Coast  is  Mesembria 
and  Anchialum,  where  Messa  was.  The  Region  Astice. 
There  was  the  Town  Anthium,  now  there  is  Apollonia.  The 
Rivers  Panissa,  Rira,  Tearus,  Orosines.  Towns,  Thynnias, 
Almedessos,  Develton,  with  the  Marsh  which  now  is  called 
Deultum,  belonging  to  the  Veterans.  Phinopolis,  near  which 
is  Bosphorus.  From  the  Mouth  of  Ister  to  the  Entrance  of 
Pontus  others  have  made  555  Miles.  Agrippa  hath  added 
40  Miles  more.  From  thence  to  the  Wall  above-named, 
150 :  and  from  it  to  Cherronesus,  126.  But  from  the  Bos- 
phorus is  the  Bay  Gasthenes.  The  Port  Senum,  and  an- 
other which  is  called  the  Port  Mulierum.  The  Promontory 
Chrysoceras,  whereon  standeth  the  Town  Bizantium  of  free 
Condition,  and  formerly  called  Lygos.  From  Dyrrhachium 
it  is  71 1  Miles.  Thus  much  lieth  out  the  Length  between 
the  Adriatic  Sea  and  Propontis.  Rivers,  Bathynias,  Pydaras, 
or  Atyras.  Towns,  Selymbria,  Perinthus,  annexed  to  the 
Continent,  200  Paces  broad.  Within,  Byzia,  the  Castle  of 
the  Thracian  Kings,  hated  by  Swallows2  for  the  horrible 
Crime  of  Tereus.  The  Region  Camica  :  the  Colony  Flavio- 
polus,  where  formerly  the  Town  was  called  Zela.  And  50 
Miles  from  Byria,  the  Colony  Apros,  which  is  from  Philippi 
188  Miles.  But  in  the  Borders,  the  River  Erginus,  where 
was  the  Town  Gonos.  And  there  you  leave  Lysimachia, 

1  The  Pygmies  are  frequently  spoken  of  by  ancient  writers,  and  the 
existence  of  the  diminutive  race  was  never  doubted.  We  defer  the  parti- 
cular consideration  of  the  monstrous  races  of  mankind  to  the  7th  Book, 
c.  2,  where  they  are  all  mentioned  together  ;  but  the  Pygmies  appear  to 
have  attracted  more  of  the  imagination  of  the  poets  than  any  of  the 
others.  The  origin  of  their  royal  tyrant,  the  crane,  is  referred  to  by 
Ovid,  "Metamorphoses,"  b.  vi.—  Wern.  Club. 

s  See  the  story  of  Tereus,  Procne,  and  Philomela,  in  Ovid's  "Metamor- 
phoses," lib.  vi.—  Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  IV.]  History  of  Nature.  17 

now  in  Cherronesns.     For  there  is  another  Isthmus  of  like 
Straightness,    of  the   same    Name,    and  of  equal    Breadth. 
On  both  Sides  two  Cities  beautify  the  Shores,  which  they 
hold  in  a  Manner  not  unlike  :   Pactise  from  Propontis,  and 
Cardia  from  the  Bay  Melane :  this  taketh  its  Name  from  the 
Appearance  of  the  Place  :   and  both,  afterwards,  were  en- 
closed within  Lysimachia,  three  Miles  from  the  long  Walls1. 
Cherronesus  from    Propontis  had   Tiristasis  and  Crithotes, 
also   Cissa,  upon  the  River  ^Egos  :  now  it  hath   from  the 
Colony  Apros  32  Miles ;  Resistos,  over  against  the  Colony 
Pariana.     And  Hellespontus,  dividing  Europe  from  Asia  by 
seven  Stadia  (as  we  have  said),  hath  four  Cities,  opposite  one 
against  another:  in  Europe,  Calippolis  and  Sestos ;  in  Asia, 
Lampsacum  and  Abydos.    Then,  is  the  Promontory  of  Cher- 
ronesus, called  Mastisia,  opposite  to  Sigeum,  in  the  crooked 
Front   whereof  is   Cynossema :   for   so   is  Hecuba  s   Tomb 
named,  the  Station  of  the  Achaei.     The  Tower  and  Shrine 
of  Protesilaus :   and  in  the  utmost   Front  of  Cherronesus, 
which  is  called  ^Eolium,  the  Town  Elasus.     After  it,  as  a 
Man  goeth  to  the  Bay  Melane,  the  Port  Cselos,  Panhormus, 
and  the  above-named  Cardia.   The  third  Bay  of  Europe  is  in 
this  Manner  shut  in.     Mountains  of  Thracia  above  those 
before  rehearsed,  Edonus,  Gigemorus,  Meritus,  and  Melam- 
phyllon ;  Rivers  falling  into  Hebrus,  Bargus,  and  Suemus. 
The  Length  of  Macedonia,  Thracia,  and  Hellespontus,  is  set 
down  before.    Some  make  it  720  Miles.    The  Breadth  is  380 
Miles.     The  Sea  jEgeum  took  that  Name  from  a  Rock,  be- 
tween Tenedos  and  Chios,  more  truly  than  from  an  Island 
named  MX,  resembling  a  Goat,  and  therefore  so  called  of  the 
Greeks  ;  which  suddenly  riseth  out  of  the  midst  of  the  Sea. 
The  People  that  sail  from  Achaia  to  Andros,  discover  it  on 
the   right   Hand,   dreadful  and   mischievous.     Part  of  the 
./Egean  Sea  is  given  to  Myrtoum,  and  is  so  called  from  a 
little  Island  which  sheweth  itself  to  them  that  sail  from 
Gerestus  to  Macedonia,  not  far  from  Charystos  in  Eubcea. 
The  Romans   comprehend    all   these  Seas  in  two    Names  : 

1  Macron-Tichos. 

VOL.   II.  C 


18  History  of  Nature.  [Boox  IV. 

Macedonicum,  all  that  which  toucheth  Macedonia  and 
Thracia:  and  Graeciensum,  where  it  beateth  upon  Greece. 
For  the  Greeks  divide  the  Ionian  Sea,  into  Siculum  and 
Creticum,  from  the  Islands.  Also,  Icarius  (they  call  that), 
between  Samos  and  Mycionus.  The  other  Names  are  given 
by  Bays,  of  which  we  have  spoken.  And  thus  much,  indeed, 
of  the  Seas  and  Nations  contained  in  this  Manner  within  the 
third  Bay  of  Europe. 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Islands  between  those  Lands,  among  which,  Creta,  Euboea, 
Cyclades,  and  Sporades:  also,  of  Hellespont,  Pontus, 
Maoris,  Dacia,  Sarmatia,  and  Scythia. 

ISL ANDS over  against Thresprotia, Corcyra:  12Miles  from 
Buthrotus,  and  the  same  from  Acroceraunia,  50  Miles,  with 
a  City  of  the  same  Name,  Corcyra,  of  free  Condition ;  also, 
the  Town  Cassiope,  and  the  Temple  of  Jupiter  Cassiopeeus  : 
it  lieth  out  in  Length  97  Miles.  Homer  called  it  Scheria 
and  Phaeacia :  Callimachus  also,  Drepane.  About  it  are 
some  others  :  but  verging  toward  Italy,  Thoronos  :  and  to- 
ward Leucadia,  the  two  Paxae,  five  Miles  divided  from  Cor- 
cyra. And  not  far  from  them  before  Corcyra,  Ericusa, 
Marate,  Elaphusa,  Malthace,  Trachiae,  Pytionia,  Ptychia, 
Tarachie.  And  beyond  Pholachrum,  a  Promontory  of  Corcyra, 
the  Rock  into  which  it  is  feigned  that  the  Ship  of  Ulysses  was 
turned,  on  Account  of  its  Resemblance.  Before  Leucadia, 
Sybota.  But  between  Leucadia  and  Achaia  there  are  very 
many:  of  which  are  Teleboides,  the  same  as  Taphiae:  of  the 
Inhabitants  before  Leucadia,  they  are  called  Taphias ;  Oxiae 
and  Prinoessa :  and  before  ^Etolia,  the  Echinades,  ^Egialia, 
Cotonis,  Thyatira,  Geoaris,  Dionysia,  Cyrnus,  Chalcis, 
Pinara,  and  Mystus.  Before  them  in  the  deep  Sea,  Cepha- 
lenia  and  Zacynthus,  both  free  States :  Ithaca,  Dulichium, 
Same,  Crocylea,  and  Paxos.  Cephalenia,  formerly  called 
Melaana  is  11  Miles  otf,  and  44  Miles  in  Circuit.  Same  was 
destroyed  by  the  Romans  :  nevertheless,  it  hath  still  three 
Towns :  between  it  and  Achaia  is  Zacynthus,  with  a  Town,  a 


BOOK  IV.]  History  of  Nature .  1 9 

stately  Island,  and  remarkably  fertile.  In  Times  past  it  was 
called  Hyrie,  and  is  22  Miles  distant  from  the  South-coast  of 
Cephalenia.  The  famous  Mountain  of  Elatus  is  there.  The 
Island  itself  is  in  Circuit  25  Miles.  Twelve  Miles  from  it  is 
Ithaca,  wherein  is  the  Mountain  Neritus.  And  in  the  whole 
it  taketh  up  the  Compass  of  25  Miles.  From  it  12  Miles  off 
is  Araxum,  a  Promontory  of  Peloponnesus.  Before  this,  in 
the  main  Sea,  Asteris  and  Prote.  Before  Zacynthus,  35 
Miles  in  the  Wind  Eusus,  are  the  Strophades,  called  by 
others,  Plotae :  and  before  Cephalenia,  Letoia.  Before  Pylos, 
three  Sphagiae  ;  and  as  many  before  Messene,  called  (Enussae. 
In  the  Bay  Asinseus,  three  Thyrides :  in  the  Laconian  Gulf, 
Teganusa,  Cothon,  Cythera,  with  the  Town  formerly  named 
Porphyris.  This  lieth  five  Miles  from  the  Promontory  of 
Malea,  doubtful  for  Ships  to  come  about  it,  by  Reason  of  the 
Straits  there.  In  the  Argolic  Sea  are  Pityusa,  Irine  and 
Ephyre  :  and  against  the  Territory  Hermonium,  Typarenus, 
Epiropia,  Colonis,  Aristera  :  over  against  Troszenium  Ca- 
lauria,  half  a  Mile  from  Plateae :  also,  Belbina,  Lacia  and 
Baucidias.  Against  Epidaurus,  Cecryphalos,  and  Pytionesos, 
six  Miles  from  the  Continent.  Next  to  it  is  ^Sgina,  of  free 
Condition,  17  Miles  off,  and  the  Navigation  of  it  is  20  Miles 
about.  The  same  is  distant  from  Pyrseeum,  the  Port  of  the 
Athenians,  12  Miles,  and  in  old  Time  it  was  usually  called 
CEnone.  Over  against  the  Promontory  Spiraeum,  lie  Eleusa, 
Dendros,  two  Craugiae,  two  Caeciae,  Selachusa,  Cenchreis,  and 
Aspis.  Also,  in  the  Megarian  Bay,  there  are  four  Methu- 
rides.  But  ^Egilia  is  15  Miles  from  Cythera;  and  the  same 
is  from  Phalasarna,  a  Town  in  Greta,  25  Miles.  And  Creta 
itself,  lying  with  one  Side  to  the  South,  and  the  other  to  the 
North,  stretcheth  forth  in  Length  East  and  West ;  famous 
and  noble  for  100  Cities.  Dodades  saith  it  took  that  Name 
from  the  Nymph  Creta,  Daughter  of  Hesperis :  but  according 
to  Anaximander,  from  a  King  of  the  Curetes.  Pkilistides, 
Mallotes,  Crates,  have  thought  it  was  called  first  vEria,  and 
afterwards  Guretis,  and  some  have  thought  it  was  named 
Macaros,  on  Account  of  the  excellent  Temperature  of  the 
Air.  In  Breadth  it  exceedeth  in  no  Place  50  Miles,  arid  in 


20  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  IV. 

the  middle  Part  it  is  broadest :  in  Length  it  is  full  270 
Miles :  in  Circuit,  589  Miles  :  and  bending  itself  into  the 
Cretic  Sea,  so  called  from  it,  where  it  stretcheth  out  furthest 
Eastward,  it  putteth  forth  the  Promontory  Sarnmonium, 
opposite  Rhodos  ;  and  Westward,  Criu-Metopon,  toward 
Cyrenae.  The  principal  Towns  are  Phalasarnae,  Elaea,  Cysa- 
mum,  Pergamum,  Cydon,  Minoum,  Apteron,  Pantoma- 
trium,  Amphimalla,  Rhythymna,  Panhormum,  Cyteum, 
Apollonia,  Matium,  Heraclea,  Miletos,  Ampelos,  Hiera- 
pytna,  Lebena,  Hierapolis.  And  in  the  midland  Parts,  Cor- 
tyna,  Phaestum.  Gnossus,  Potyrrhenium,  Myrina,  Lycastus, 
Rhamnus,  Lyctus,  Dium,  Asum,  Pyloros,  Rhytion,  Clatos, 
Pharae.  Holopyxos,  Lasos1,  Eleuthernae,  Therapn£,  Mara- 
thusa,  Mytinos.  And  other  Towns  to  about  the  Number  of 
60  stand  yet  upon  Record.  The  Mountains  :  Cadiscus, 
Idaeus,  Dictaeus,  and  Morycus.  The  Isle  itself,  from  the 
Promontory  in  it  called  Criu-Metopon,  as  Agrippa  reporteth, 
is  distant  from  Phycus,  a  Promontory  of  the  Cyrense,  225 
Miles.  Likewise  to  Capescum  from  Malea  in  Peloponnesus, 
it  is  80  Miles.  From  the  Island  Carpathus,  from  the  Pro- 
montory Samrnonia,  in  the  Favonian  Wind,  60  Miles.  This 
Island  lieth  between  it  and  Rhodos.  The  Rest  about  it  are 
these :  before  Peloponnesus  two  Coricae,  and  as  many  Mylae  : 
and  on  the  North  Side,  with  Greta  on  the  right  Hand,  there 
appeareth  Leuce  over  against  Cydonia,  with  the  two  Budorse; 
against  Matium,  Cia:  against  the  Promontory  Itanum  Onisa 
and  Leuce  :  against  Hierapytna,  Chrysa,  and  Caudos.  In 
the  same  Tract  are  Ophiussa,  Butoa,  and  Rhamnus  :  and 
doubling  Criu-Metopon,  the  Isles  called  Musagores.  Before 
the  Promontory  Sammonium,  Phocae,  Platiae,  Sirnides,  Nau- 
lochos,  Armedon,  and  Zephyre.  But  in  Hellas,  yet  still  in 
^Egeum,  Lichades,  Scarphia,  Maresa,  Phocaria,  and  very 
many  more  over  against  Attica ;  but  without  Towns,  and 
therefore  obscure  :  but  against  Eleusina,  the  noble  Salamis, 

1  Dr.  Bloomfield  ("  Recens.  Synop."  in  loco)  thinks  this  place  was  the 
Lasea  of  Acts  xxvii.  8.  Pliny  makes  it  an  inland  town,  but  by  inland 
towns  he  only  means  such  as  were  not  ports ;  and  that  Lasea  was  not  a 
port  is  clear,  the  Fair  Havens  being  its  port.—  Worn.  Club. 


BOOK  IV.]  History  of  Nature.  21 

and  before  it  Psytalia:  and  from  Sunium,  Helene,  five  Miles 
off:  and  Ceos,  from  thence  as  many ;  which  our  Countrymen 
have  named  Caea  ;  but  the  Greeks  Hydrussa  :  cut  off  from 
Eubcea.  In  Times  past  it  was  500  Stadia  long:  but  soon 
after,  almost  four  Parts,  which  verged  towards  Boeotia,  were 
devoured  by  the  same  Sea  :  and  now  the  Towns  remaining 
are  Julis  and  Carthaea.  For  Coressus  and  Paecessa  are 
perished.  From  hence,  as  Varro  saith,  came  the  more  deli- 
cate Dress  that  Women  use.  Euboea  itself  hath  been  torn 
from  Boeotia,  being  divided  with  so  little  a  Euripus,  that  a 
Bridge  joineth  the  one  to  the  other:  it  is  well  marked  by 
Reason  of  two  Promontories  in  the  South  Side,  which  are, 
Genestum,  bending  toward  Attica;  and  Caphareus  to  Helles- 
pontus  :  and  upon  the  North  Side,  Caeneus.  In  no  Part  doth 
it  extend  broader  than  40  Miles ;  and  no  where  doth  it  con- 
tract beyond  20.  But  in  Length  from  Attica,  as  far  as  Thes- 
salia,  it  lieth  along  Boeotia  for  150  Miles;  and  containeth  in 
Circuit  365.  From  Hellespont,  on  the  Part  of  Caphareus,  it 
is  225  Miles.  In  Times  past  it  was  illustrious  for  these 
Cities:  Pyrrha,  Porthmos,  Nesos,  Cerinthus,  Oreum,  Dium, 
^Edepsum,  Ocha,  CEchalia,  now  Calcis,  over  against  which 
standeth  Aulis  on  the  Continent  :  but  now  noble  for  Geres- 
turn,  Eretria,  Carystus,  Oritanum,  Artemisium,  the  Fountain 
Arethusa,  the  River  Lelantum,  the  hot  Waters  called  Hel- 
lopiae ;  but  yet  more  known  for  the  Marble  of  Carystus. 
In  former  Time  it  was  called  commonly  Chalcodontis  or 
Macris,  as  Dionysius  and  Ephorus  say ;  but  Macra,  ac- 
cording to  Aristides :  and  according  to  Callidemus,  Chalcis, 
from  the  Brass  there  first  found:  and  as  Menoecmus  saith, 
Abantias  :  and  Asopis,  as  the  Poets  commonly  name  it.  Be- 
yond, in  the  Myrtoom  Sea,  are  many  Isles,  but  those  prin- 
cipally famous  are  Glauconnesus  and  ^Egilia.  And  from  the 
Promontory  Gerestum,  about  Delos,  some  lying  in  a  Circle 
together,  whence  they  took  their  Name  Cyclades.  The  first 
of  them,  Andrus,  with  a  Town,  is  from  Gerestum,  10  Miles ; 
and  from  Ceum,  39.  Myrsilius  saith  it  was  called  Cauros, 
and  afterwards  Antandros.  Callimachus  nameth  it  Lasia, 
others  Nonagria,  Hydrussa,  and  Epagris.  It  lieth  in  Coin- 
pass  93  Miles.  A  Mile  from  the  same  Andros,  and  15  from 


22  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  IV. 

Delos,  lieth  Tenos,  with  a  Town  stretched  out  15  Miles  in 
Length  :  which,  for  the  Plenty  of  Water,  Aristotle  saith,  was 
called  Hydrussa,  but  others  name  it  Ophiussa.  The  Rest  are 
these:  Myconos,  with  the  Mountain  Dimastos,  15  Miles 
from  Delos.  Scyros  Syphnus,  formerly  named  Meropia  and 
Acis,  in  Circuit  28  Miles:  Seriphus,  12  Miles,  Praepesinthus, 
Cythnus.  And  Delos  itself,  of  all  others  the  most  illustrious, 
the  midmost  of  the  Cyclades,  celebrated  for  the  Temple  of 
Apollo,  and  for  Merchandise;  which,  having  a  long  Time 
floated  up  and  down  (as  it  is  reported),  was  the  only  Island 
that  never  felt  an  Earthquake 1  unto  the  Time  of  M.  Varro. 
Mutianus  hath  recorded  that  it  was  twice  shaken.  Aristotle 
giveth  a  Reason  of  the  Name  in  this  Sort,  because  it  was 
produced  and  discovered  on  a  sudden.  JEylosthenes  termeth 
it  Cynthia  :  others  Ortygia,  Asteria,  Lagia,  Chlamydia, 
Cynethus,  and  Pyrpile ;  because  in  it  Fire  was  first  found 
out.  It  is  but  five  Miles  about,  and  riseth  up  by  the  Moun- 
tain Cinthus.  Next  to  it  is  Rhene,  which  Anticlides  calleth 
Celadussa,  and  Helladius,  Artemite.  Moreover,  Syros,  which 
ancient  Writers  have  reported  to  be  in  Circuit  20  Miles, 
and  Mutianus,  160.  Oliatos,  Paros,  with  a  Town,  38  Miles 
from  Delos,  of  great  Name  for  white  Marble,  which  at 
first  they  called  Pactia,  but  afterwards  Minois.  From  it 
seven  and  a  half  Miles  is  Naxus,  18  Miles  from  Delos; 
with  a  Town,  which  they  called  Strongyle,  afterwards  Dia, 
soon  after  Dionysius,  from  its  Fertility  of  Vines  ;  and  by 
others,  Sicily  the  Less,  and  Callipolis.  It  reacheth  in  Cir- 
cuit 75  Miles,  and  is  half  as  long  again  as  Paros.  And  thus 
far,  indeed,  they  note  for  the  Cyclades:  the  Rest  that  follow, 
for  the  Sporades.  And  these  are  Helenum,  Phocussa,  Phae- 
casia,  Schinussa,  Phalegandros  ;  and  17  Miles  from  Naxos, 
Icaros :  which  gave  Name  to  the  Sea,  lying  out  as  far  in 
Length  ;  with  two  Towns,  for  the  third  is  lost :  beforetime 
it  was  called  Dolichum,  Macris,  and  Ichtycessa. "  It  is  situated 

1  Thucydides,  book  ii.,  says :  "  There  was  also  a  little  before  the  time 
of  the  Peloponnesian  war,  an  earthquake  at  Delos,  which,  in  the  memory 
of  the  Grecians,  never  shook  before ;  and  was  interpreted  for,  and  seemed 
to  be  a  sign  of,  what  was  to  come  afterwards  to  pass." — HOBBES.  —  Wern. 
Club. 


BOOK  IV.]  History  of  Nature.  23 

North-east,  from  Delos  50  Miles :  and  from  Samos  it  is  35 
Miles.  Between  Euboaa  and  Andros  there  is  a  Strait  12 
Miles  over.  From  it  to  Gerestum  is  112^  Miles.  And  then 
no  Order  forward  can  be  kept ;  the  Rest,  therefore,  shall  be 
set  down  promiscuously.  los  from  Naxos  is  24  Miles,  vene- 
rable for  the  Sepulchre  of  Homer :  it  is  in  Length  25  Miles, 
and  in  former  Time  was  called  Phaenice.  Odia,  Letandros  ; 
Gyaros,  with  a  Town,  in  Circuit  12  Miles.  It  is  distant  from 
Aneros,  62  Miles.  From  thence  to  Syrnus,  80  Miles.  Cyne- 
thussa  ;  Telos,  famous  for  costly  Ointment,  and  called  by 
Callimachus,  Agatluissa.  Donysa ;  Pathmos,  in  Circuit  30 
Miles.  Corasiae,  Lebinthus,  Leros,  Cynara,  Sycinus,  which 
beforetime  was  QEnoe  ;  Heratia,  the  same  as  Onus  ;  Casus, 
otherwise  Astrabe;  Cimolus,  otherwise  Echinussa  ;  Melos, 
with  a  Town,  which  Aristides  nameth  Byblis  ;  Aristotle,  Ze- 
phyria ;  Callimachus,  Himallis ;  Heraclides,  Syphnus  and 
Acytos.  And  this,  of  all  the  Islands,  is  the  roundest.  After  it 
Machia;  Hypere,  sometime  Patage,  or  after  some  Platage, 
now  Amorgos  ;  Potyaegos,  Phyle,  Thera ;  when  it  first 
appeared,  called  Calliste.  From  it  afterwards  was  Therasia 
torn  away  :  and  between  those  two  soon  after  arose  Auto- 
mate, the  same  as  Hiera  :  and  Thia,  which  in  our  Days 
appeared  new  out  of  the  Water  near  Hiera.  los  is  from 
Thera,  25  Miles.  Then  follow  Lea,  Ascania,  Anaphe,  Hip- 
puris,  Hippurissusa.  Astipalaea  of  free  Condition,  in  Com- 
pass 88  Miles  :  it  is  from  Cadiscus,  a  Promontory  of  Greta, 
125  Miles.  From  it  is  Platea,  distant  60  Miles.  And  from 
thence  Camina,  38  Miles.  Then  Azibnitha,  Lanise,  Tragia, 
Pharmacusa,  Techedia,  Chalcia ;  Calydna,  in  which  are 
the  Towns  Coos  and  Olymna.  From  which  to  Carpathus, 
which  gave  the  Name  to  the  Carpathian  Sea,  is  25  Miles  : 
and  so  to  Rhodes  with  an  African  Wind.  From  Carpathus 
to  Casos,  seven  Miles  :  from  Casos  to  Samonium,  a- 
Promontory  of  Greta,  30  Miles.  Moreover,  in  the  Euboic 
Euripus,  almost  at  the  first  Entrance,  are  the  four  Islands, 
Petaliae  ;  and  at  the  Outlet,  Atalante,  Cyclades,  and  Spo- 
rades :  inclosed  on  the  East  with  the  Icarian  Sea-coasts  of 
Asia ;  on  the  West,  with  the  Myrtoan  Coasts  of  Attica ; 


24  History  of  Nature.  [BooK|IV. 

Northward,  with  the  ^gean  Sea;  and  South,  with  the  Cretic 
and  Carphacian  Seas  :  and  they  lie  in  Length  200  Miles. 
The  Bay  Pagasicus  hath  before  it  Eutychia,  Cicynethus,  and 
Scyrus  abovesaid  :  but  the  Outermost  of  the  Cyclades  and 
Sporades,  Gerontia,  Scadira,  Thermeusis,  Irrhesia,  Solinnia, 
Eudemia,  Nea,  which  is  sacred  to  Minerva.  Athos  before 
it  hath  four ;  Preparethus,  with  a  Town,  sometime  called 
Euonos,  nine  Miles  off:  Scyathus,  five  Miles:  and  Imbrus, 
with  a  Town,  88  Miles  off.  The  same  is  from  Mastusia  in 
Corinthos,  75  Miles.  Itself  is  in  Circuit  72  Miles.  It  is 
watered  by  the  River  Ilissus.  From  thence  to  Lemnos,  22 
Miles:  and  the  latter  from  Athos,  87.  In  Compass  it  con- 
taineth  22 1  Miles.  Towns  it  hath,  Hephaestia  and  Myrina, 
into  the  Market-place  of  which  the  Mountain  Athos  casteth  a 
Shadow  at  the  Solstice.  Thassos,  a  free  State,  is  from  it  five 
Miles  :  in  Times  past,  called  ^Eria,  or  ./Ethria.  From  thence 
Abdera  in  the  Continent  is  20  Miles  :  Athos,  62 :  the  Isle 
Samothrace  as  much,  which  is  free,  and  lieth  before  Hebrus  : 
from  Imbrus,  32  Miles:  from  Lemnus,  22|  Miles:  from  the 
Borders  of  Thracia,  28  Miles:  in  Circuit  it  is  32  Miles,  and  hath 
a  Rising  of  the  Hill  Saoces  for  the  Space  of  10  Miles  :  and 
of  all  the  Rest  is  fullest  of  Harbours.  Callimachus  calleth  it 
by  the  old  Name  Darclania  :  between  Cherronesus  and 
Samothrace  is  Halomesus,  about  15  Miles  from  either  of 
them :  beyond  lieth  Gethrone,  Larnponia,  Alopeconnesus 
not  far  from  Coelos,  a  Port  of  Cherronesus :  and  some 
others  of  no  importance.  In  this  Bay  are  rehearsed  also 
the  deserted  Islands,  of  which  the  Names  only  can  be  disco- 
vered :  Desticos,  Larnos,  Cyssicos,  Carbrusa,  Celathusa, 
Scylla,  Draconon,  Arconesus,  Diethusa,  Scapos,  Capheris, 
Mesate,  jEantion,  Phaterunesos,  Pateria,  Calete,  Neriphus, 
and  Polendus. 

The  fourth  of  those  great  Bays  in  Europe,  beginning 
from  Hellespont,  endeth  in  the  Mouth  of  Moeotis.  But  we 
are  briefly  to  describe  the  Form  of  the  whole  Sea,  that  the 
Parts  may  be  more  easily  known.  The  vast  Ocean  lying 
before  Asia,  and  driven  out  from  Europe  in  that  long  Coast 
of  Cherronesus,  breaketh  into  the  Land  with  a  narrow 


BOOK  IV.]  History  of  Nature.  25 

Passage  of  seven  Stadia  (as  hath  been  said)  dividing  Europe 
from  Asia.  The  first  Straits  they  call  Hellespontus.  Over 
this,  Xerxes,  King  of  the  Persians,  made  a  Bridge  upon 
Ships,  and  so  led  his  Army  across.  From  thence  is  extended 
a  small  Euripus  for  the  space  of  86  Miles,  to  Priapus,  a 
City  of  Asia,  where  Alexander  the  Great  passed  over.  From 
that  Place  the  Sea  groweth  wide,  and  again  gathereth  into 
a  Strait :  the  largeness  is  called  Propontis ;  the  Straits,  the 
Thracian  Bosphorus,  500  Paces  over  :  by  which  Darius,  the 
Father  of  Xerxes,  made  a  Bridge  and  transported  his  Forces. 
The  whole  Length  from  Hellespont  is  239  Miles.  From 
thence  the  vast  Sea  called  Pontns  Euxinus,  and  in  Times 
past  Axenus,  taketh  up  the  space  between  Lands  far  remote, 
and  with  a  great  winding  of  the  Shores,  bendeth  backward 
into  Horns,  and  lieth  stretched  out  from  them  on  both  Sides, 
resembling  evidently  a  Scythian  Bow.  In  the  midst  of  this 
bending,  it  joineth  close  to  the  Mouth  of  the  Lake  Mceotis. 
That  Mouth  is  called  Cimmerius  Bosphorus,  two  Miles  and 
a  half  Broad.  But  between  the  two  Bosphori,  Thracius  and 
Cirnmerius,  there  is  a  direct  Course,  as  Polybius  saith,  of 
500  Miles.  But  the  Circuit  of  all  this  Sea,  as  Varro  and 
almost  all  the  old  Writers  witness,  is  2150  Miles.  Nepos 
Cornelius  addeth  thereto  350  Miles.  Artemidorus  maketh 
it  2919  Miles  :  Agrippa,  2360  Miles  :  Mutianus,  2865 
Miles.  In  like  sort,  some  have  determined  the  Measure 
to  the  Side  of  Europe  to  be  4078|  Miles:  others,  11,072 
Miles.  M.  Varro  taketh  his  Measure  in  this  manner :  from 
the  Mouth  of  Pontus  to  Apollonia,  188£  Miles:  to  Calatis, 
as  much  :  to  the  Mouth  of  Ister,  125  :  to  Borysthenes,  250 : 
to  Cherroriesus,  a  Town  of  the  Heracleates,  375  Miles  :  to 
Panticapseus,  which  some  call  Bosphorus,  the  utmost  Coast 
of  Europe,  222 1  Miles  :  the  sum  of  which  makes  1336^  Miles. 
Agrippa  measureth,  from  Bizantium  to  the  River  Ister,  560 
Miles:  to  Panticapseum,  630:  from  thence  the  very  Lake 
Mffiotis,  receiving  the  River  Tanais  which  runneth  out  of 
the  Riphaean  Mountains,  is  supposed  to  be  in  Compass  1306 
Miles ;  being  the  furthest  Bound  between  Europe  and  Asia. 
Others  make  11,025  Miles.  But  it  is  evident,  that  from  its 


26  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  IV. 

Mouth  to  the  Mouth  of  Tanais,  by  a  straight  Course,  it  is  375 
Miles.  The  Inhabitants  of  that  Bay  have  been  named  in 
the  mention  of  Thracia,  as  far  as  to  Istropolis.  From  thence 
the  Mouths  of  Ister.  This  River  riseth  among  the  Hills  of 
Abnoba,  a  Mountain  of  Germany,  over  against  Rauricum,  a 
Town  in  Gallia,  and  passing  many  Miles  beyond  the  Alps,  and 
through  innumerable  Nations,  under  the  Name  of  Danubius, 
with  a  mighty  increase  of  Waters,  and  whence  he  first  be- 
ginneth  to  wash  Illyricum  taking  the  Name  of  Ister,  after 
he  hath  received  60  Rivers,  and  almost  the  one- half  of  them 
navigable,  rolleth  into  Pontus  with  six  vast  Streams.  The 
first  Mouth  of  it  is  Peuces :  soon  after,  the  Island  Peuce 
itself,  from  which  the  next  Channel  took  its  name,  and  is 
swallowed  up  in  a  great  Marsh  of  19  Miles.  Out  of  the 
same  Channel,  and  above  Astropolis,  a  Lake  is  produced  of 
63  Miles'  compass;  which  they  call  Halrnyris.  The  second 
Mouth  is  called  Naracustoma :  the  third,  Calostoma,  near 
the  Island  Sarmatica :  the  fourth,  Pseudostoma,  and  the 
Island  Conopon  Diabasis.  After  that,  Boreostoma,  and 
Spireostoma.  Each  of  these  is  so  great,  that  by  Report 
the  Sea,  for  40  Miles'  length,  is  overmatched  with  the 
same,  and  the  fresh  Water  may  so  far  be  tasted.  From  it, 
into  the  inland  Parts,  the  People  are  all  Scythians  :  but 
various  other  Nations  inhabit  close  on  the  Coasts  :  in  some 
Places  the  Getae,  called  by  the  Romans  Daci :  in  others  the 
Sarinatse,  by  the  Greeks  Sauromatae ;  and  among  them,  the 
Hamaxobii  or  Aorsi.  Elsewhere  the  degenerate  Scythians, 
who  are  sprung  from  Servants,  or  the  Troglodites  :  presently, 
the  Alani  and  Rhoxalani.  But  the  higher  Parts  between  Da- 
nubius and  the  Forest  Hercynius,  as  far  as  to  the  Pannonian 
wintering  Places  of  Carnuntum,  and  the  Confines  there  of 
the  Germans,  the  Fields  and  Plains  of  Jazyge,  the  Sar- 
matians  possess.  But  the  Mountains  and  Forests,  the  Daci, 
who  were  expelled  by  them,  inhabit,  as  far  as  to  the  River 
Parhyssus  from  Morns  ;  or  this  is  Duria,  dividing  them 
from  the  Suevi  and  the  Kingdom  of  Vanni.  The  Parts 
against  these  the  Bastarnae  hold ;  and  from  thence  other 
German!.  Agrippa  hath  set  down  that  whole  Tract,  from 


BOOK  IV.]  History  of  Nature.  27 

the  Ister  to  the  Ocean,  as  amounting  to  2000  Miles,  and 
400  less  in  Breadth,  from  the  Deserts  of  Sarmatia  to  the 
River  Vistula  :  the  Name  of  Scythae  everywhere  continually 
runneth  into  Sarmatge  and  Germani.  Neither  hath  that  old 
denomination  remained  in  any  others  but  those,  who,  as  I 
have  said,  live  the  furthest  off  of  these  Nations,  almost 
unknown  to  all  other  Men.  But  the  Towns  next  to  the 
Ister  are  Oemniscos  and  ^Epolium  :  the  Mountains  Ma- 
crocrennii :  the  noble  River  Tyra,  giving  Name  to  the  Town, 
whereas  before  time  it  was  called  Ophiusa.  Within  the  same 
is  a  spacious  Island,  inhabited  by  the  Tyragetae.  It  is  from 
Pseudostomum,  a  Mouth  of  the  Ister,  130  Miles.  Soon 
after  are  the  Axiacae,  named  after  the  River :  beyond  whom 
are  the  Crobyzi  :  the  River  Rhode  :  the  Bay  Sagaricus,  and 
the  Port  Ordesus.  And,  120  Miles  from  Tyra,  is  the  River 
Borysthenes,  and  a  Lake  and  Nation  of  that  Name : 
and  a  Town  15  Miles  within  from  the  Sea,  called  by  the 
ancient  Names  Olbropolis  and  Miletopolis.  Again,  on  the 
Shore,  the  Harbour  of  the  Achaeans  :  the  Island  of  Achilles, 
famous  for  the  Tomb  of  that  Man.  And  from  it  135  Miles, 
is  a  Peninsula,  lying  out  across  in  the  Form  of  a  Sword, 
and  called  Dromos  Achilleos,  upon  occasion  of  his  Exercise 
there  :  the  Length  of  which  Agrippa  hath  declared  to  be  80 
Miles.  All  that  Tract,  the  Taurisci,  Scythae,  and  Sarmatae 
inhabit.  Then  the  woody  Region  gave  the  name  to  the  Sea 
Hylaeum,  by  which  it  is  encircled.  The  Inhabitants  are  called 
Enaecadloae.  Beyond  is  the  River  Panticapes,  which  divideth 
the  Nomades  and  Georgi :  and  soon  after,  Acesinus.  Some 
say  that  Panticape,  with  Borysthenes,  run  together  beneath 
Olbia ;  but  the  more  exact  name  Hypanis  :  so  much  they 
erred  who  have  described  it  in  a  part  of  Asia.  The  Sea 
retires  with  a  very  great  Ebb,  until  it  is  distant  from  Moeotis 
with  an  interval  of  five  Miles,  compassing  a  vast  Space,  and 
many  Nations.  There  is  a  Bay  called  Corcinites,  and  a 
River  Pacyris.  Towns,  Naubarura  and  Carcine.  Behind 
is  the  Lake  Buges,  let  out  into  the  Sea  by  a  foss.  And 
(Buges)  itself  is  disjoined  from  Coretus,  a  Bay  of  the  Lake 
Moeotis,  by  a  rocky  Back.  It  receiveth  the  Rivers  Buges, 


28  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  IV. 

Gerrhus,  Hypanis,  coming  from  different  quarters  :  for 
Gerrhus  partetb  the  Basilides  and  Nomades.  Hypanis 
floweth  through  the  Nomades  and  the  Hyleans  into  Buges, 
by  a  Channel  made  by  Man's  Hand,  but  in  his  natural 
Channel  into  Coretus.  The  Region  of  Scythia  is  named 
Sendica.  But  in  Carcinites,  Taurica  beginneth  :  which  in 
Times  past  was  environed  with  the  Sea,  where  now  there 
lie  Fields  :  afterwards  it  mounteth  up  with  very  great  Hilly. 
Thirty  People  are  in  it :  and  of  them  24  are  within  Land. 
Six  Towna,  Orgocyni,  Caraseni,  Assyrani,  Tractari,  Archi- 
lachitae,  and  Caliordi.  The  Crest  of  the  Hill  the  Scytotauri 
hold.  They  are  shut  in  Westward  by  Cherronesus ;  East- 
ward by  the  Scythian  Satarchi.  In  the  Coast  from  Car- 
cinites are  these  Towns :  Taphrse,  in  the  very  Straits  of  the 
Peninsula  :  then,  Heraclea,  Cherronesus,  endowed  with 
Liberty  by  the  Romans.  Formerly  it  was  called  Megarice, 
and  is  the  most  Elegant  in  all  that  Tract,  as  retaining  the 
Manners  of  the  Greeks  ;  and  it  is  encompassed  with  a  Wall 
of  five  Miles'  extent.  Then  the  Promontory  Parthenium. 
A  City  of  the  Tauri,  Placia.  The  Harbour  Symbolon :  the 
Promontory  Criu-Metopon,  over  against  Charambes,  a  Pro- 
montory of  Asia,  running  through  the  middle  of  Euxinus 
for  the  space  of  170  Miles  :  which  is  the  cause  especially 
that  maketh  the  Form  abovesaid  of  a  Scythian  Bow.  Near 
to  it  are  many  Harbours  and  Lakes  of  the  Tauri.  The 
Town  Theodosia,  distant  from  Criu-Metopon  122  Miles,  and 
from  Cherronesus  165  Miles.  Beyond,  there  have  been 
the  Towns  Cyt£,  Zephyrium,  Acre,  Nymphaeum,  and  Dia. 
And  by  far  the  strongest  of  them  all  remaineth  still  in  the 
very  entrance  of  Bosphorus,  namely,  Panticapaeum  of  the 
Milesians,  from  Theodosia  1035  Miles  :  but  from  Cim- 
merum,  a  Town  situated  beyond  the  Strait,  a  Mile  and  a  half, 
as  we  have  said.  And  this  is  all  the  Breadth  there  that 
divideth  Asia  from  Europe :  and  even  that  is  for  the  most 
part  passable  on  Foot,  when  the  Strait  is  frozen  oyer.  The 
Breadth  of  Bosphorus  Cimmerius  is  12  Miles.  It  hath  the 
Towns  Hermisium,  Myrmecium  ;  and  within  it,  the  Island 
Alopec£.  But  through  Moeotis,  from  the  furthest  part  of 


BOOK  IV.]  History  of  Nature.  29 

the  Isthmus,  which  Place  is  called  Taphrae,  to  the  Mouth  of 
Bosphorus,  it  containeth  260  Miles.  From  Taphrae,  the 
Continent  within  is  inhabited  by  the  Anchetae,  among  whom 
the  Hypanis  springeth  :  and  Neuri,  where  Borysthenes  hath 
his  Head ;  also,  the  Geloni,  Thussagetae,  Budmi,  Basilidse, 
and  the  Agathyrsi,  with  blue  Hair  on  their  Heads.  Above 
them,  the  Nomades  ;  and  then  the  Anthropophagi.  From 
Buges,  above  Mreotis,  the  Sauromates  and  Essedones  dwell. 
But  along  the  Borders,  as  far  as  Tanais,  the  Mreotae,  from 
whom  the  Lake  was  so  called  ;  and  the  last  behind  them, 
the  Arimaspi.  Within  a  little  are  the  Riphaean  Mountains, 
and  a  Country  called  Pterophoros,  for  the  resemblance  of 
Wings  (Feathers1)  occasioned  by  the  continual  fall  of 
Snow :  a  Part  of  the  World  condemned  by  the  nature  of 
Things,  and  immersed  in  thick  Darkness,  having  no  shelter- 
ing Places  but.  the  work  of  Cold,  the  produce  of  the  freezing 
North  Wind.  Behind  those  Mountains,  and  beyond  the 
North  Pole,  there  is  a  happy  Nation  (if  we  may  believe  it) 
whom  they  call  Hyperborei2,  who  live  exceeding  long,  and 

1  "  A  race  of  men  there  are,  as  fame  has  told, 
Who  shivering  suffer  Hyperborean  cold, 
Till  nine  times  bathing  in  Minerva's  lake 
Soft  feathers,  to  defend  their  naked  sides,  they  take." 

DRFDEN'S  Onid.  Metam.  lib.  xv. 

Herodotus,  Melpo.  31,  says:  "  In  respect  to  the  feathers  wherewith 
the  Scythians  affirm  the  air  to  be  filled,  my  opinion  is  this :  above  that 
country  snow  falls  continually ;  now  any  one  that  has  seen  snow  falling 
thick,  and  close  to  himself,  must  understand  what  I  say.  The  snow  does,  in 
fact,  bear  great  resemblance  to  feathers.  I  think,  therefore,  that  the 
Scythians  and  the  surrounding  nations  compare  the  snow  to  feathers. — 
LAURENT. —  Wcrn.  Club. 

2  The  ancients  denominated  those  people  and  places  Hyperborean 
-which  were  to  the  northward  of  the  Scythians.  They  had,  indeed,  but 
very  little  acquaintance  with  these  regions;. and  all  they  tell  us  of  them 
is  very  precarious,  while  much  of  it  is  false.  Herodotus,  as  well  as  Pliny, 
doubts  whether  or  not  there  were  any  such  nations ;  while  Strabo  pro- 
fesses to  believe  that  they  really  existed.  See  a  very  amusing  account  of 
these  fabulous  Hyperboreans  in  Herodotus,  Melpo.  32-36.  From  whence 
much  that  Pliny  says  was  borrowed. —  Wcrn.  Club. 


30  History  of  Nature.  [  BOOK  IV. 

are  celebrated  for  fabulous  Wonders.  There  are  believed  to 
be  the  Poles  of  the  World,  and  the  very  Ends  of  the  revo- 
lution of  the  Heavens,  having  for  six  Months  together  one 
entire  Day  ;  and  Night  as  long,  when  the  Sun  is  turned  from 
them :  but  their  Day  is  not  from  the  Spring  Equinox  (as 
the  Ignorant  say)  to  the  Autumn  :  for  once  in  the  Year,  at 
the  Solstice,  the  Sun  riseth  with  them :  and  once  likewise 
it  setteth  in  Mid-winter.  The  Region  is  open  to  the  Sun, 
of  a  happy  Temperature,  void  of  all  hurtful  impulse  of  Air. 
The  Woods  are  their  Habitations,  and  the  Groves  where 
they  worship  the  Gods  Man  by  Man,  and  in  Companies : 
Discord  and  all  Disease  are  unknown  ;  arid  they  never  die, 
but  when  they  are  satiated  with  Life  :  when  the  aged  Men, 
having  feasted  and  anointed  their  bodies,  leap  from  a  certain 
Rock  into  the  Sea.  This  kind  of  Sepulture  is  the  most  happy. 
Some  Writers  have  placed  them  in  the  first  Part  of  the  Sea- 
coast  in  Asia,  and  not  in  Europe;  because  some  are  there  re- 
sembling them  in  manners  and  situation,  named  Atocori  ; 
others  have  set  them  in  the  midst,  between  both  Suns  ;  that 
is,  the  Setting  of  it  with  the  Antipodes,  and  the  Rising  of  it 
with  us:  which  cannot  possibly  be,  so  vast  a  Sea  lying 
between.  Those  that  have  placed  them  nowhere  but  in  the 
six  Months'  daylight,  have  written  of  them,  that  they  sow  in 
the  Morning,  reap  at  Noon,  at  Sunset  gather  the  Fruits  from 
the  Trees,  and  by  Night  lie  within  Caves.  Neither  may  we 
make  doubt  of  that  Nation,  since  so  many  Authors  testify, 
that  they  were  accustomed  to  send  their  first  Fruits  to 
Delos,  to  Apollo,  whom  they  chiefly  worship.  They  were 
Virgins  that  conveyed  these  Fruits  ;  who  for  certain  Years 
were  venerated  and  entertained  by  all  Nations,  until,  upon 
breach  of  Faith,  they  appointed  to  bestow  those  sacred  ob- 
lations in  the  next  Borders  of  their  Neighbours  :  and  these 
again  to  convey  them  to  those  that  bordered  upon  them,  and 
so  on  as  far  as  to  Delos :  and,  soon  after,  this  custom  wore 
out.  The  Length  of  Sarmatia,  Scythia,  and  Taurica,  and  of  all 
that  Tract  from  th«  River  Borysthenes,  is  980  Miles,  the 
Breadth  717,  as  M.  Agrippa  hath  delivered  it.  But  I  judge 


BOOK  IV.]  History  of  Nature.  31 

that  the  Measure  of  this  Part  of  the  Earth  is  uncertain. 
But  after  the  appointed  Order,  the  remainder  of  this  Gulf 
may  be  spoken  of;  and  we  have  already  shewn  the  Seas  of  it. 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
The  Islands  of  Pontus. 

HELLESPONT  hath  no  Islands  to  be  spoken  of  in  Europe. 
In  Pontus  are  two,  a  Mile  and  a  half  from  Europe,  and  14 
Miles  from  the  Mouth :  Cyanese,  of  others  called  Symple- 
gades  :  and  by  Report  of  Fables,  they  ran  one  into  another : 
because  they  being  severed  by  a  small  Space,  to  them  that 
enter  the  Sea  full  upon  them  they  seemed  a  Pair :  but  if 
the  Eye  be  a  little  turned  aside,  they  made  a  Show  as  if  they 
met  together.  On  this  Side  the  Ister  there  is  one,  pertaining 
to  the  Apolloniates,  80  Miles  from  Bosphorus  Thracius  :  out 
of  which  M.  Lucullus  brought  Apollo  Capitolinw1.  What 
were  within  the  Mouths  of  the  Ister  we  have  declared  al- 
ready. Before  Borysthenes  is  the  above-named  Achillea,  and 
the  same  is  called  Leuce  and  Macaron.  This  the  modern 
demonstration  places  140  miles  from  Borysthenes :  from 
Tyra,  120 :  from  the  Island  Peuce,  50.  It  is  in  Compass 
about  ten  Miles.  The  rest  are  in  the  Bay  Carcinites :  Ce- 
phalonnesos,  Rhosphodusa,  and  Macra.  I  cannot  pass  by 
the  Opinion  of  many  Writers,  before  we  depart  from  Pontus, 
who  have  thought  that  all  the  inland  Seas  arise  from  that 
head,  and  not  from  the  Straits  of  Gades ;  and  they  lay  for 
their  argument,  not  without  some  probability,  because  out 
of  Pontus  the  Tide  always  floweth,  and  never  returneth. 

But  now  we  are  to  depart  thence,  that  other  Parts  of 

'  Apollonia  was  a  colony  of  the  Milesians  in  Thrace,  the  greatest 
part  of  whose  chief  town  was  situated  in  a  small  island  in  the  Euxine, 
and  contained  a  temple  dedicated  to  Apollo.  The  colossal  statue  of  the 
god  which  Lucullus  is  said  to  have  removed  from  thence,  and  placed  in 
the  Capitol  at  Rome,  is  described  by  Pliny  (lib.  xxxiv.  c.  7),  as  being  30 
cubits  high,  and  costing  500  talents.  After  its  removal,  it  acquired  the 
name  of  Apollo  Capitolinus. — (Note.  HOLLAND'S  Translation  says  150 
talents  only.)— Wern.  Club. 


32  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  IV. 

Europe  may  be  spoken  of;  and  passing  the  Riphaean  Moun- 
tains, we  must  proceed  along  the  Shore  of  the  Northern 
Ocean  to  the  left,  until  we  come  to  Gades.  In  which 
Tract  there  are  reported  to  be  very  many  Islands  without 
Names,  of  which,  by  the  Report  of  Timcsus,  there  is  one  be- 
fore Scythia  called  Bannomanna,  distant  from  Scythia  one 
Day's  Sailing,  into  which,  in  the  Time  of  Spring,  Amber  is 
cast  up  by  the  Waves.  The  other  Coasts  are  of  uncertain 
Report.  The  North  Ocean  from  the  River  Paropamisus, 
where  it  washeth  Scythia,  Hecatceus  nameth  Amalchium, 
which  Word,  in  the  language  of  that  Nation,  signifieth 
Frozen.  Philemon  writeth,  that  the  Cimbrians  call  it  Mori- 
marusa,  that  is  Mortuum  Mare  [the  Dead  Sea],  even  as  far 
as  to  the  Promontory  Rubese:  then  beyond,  Cronium. 
Xenophon  Lampsacenus  saith,  That  in  three  Days'  sailing 
from  the  Scythian  Coast  there  is  the  Island  Baltia,  of  ex- 
ceeding magnitude.  The  same  doth  Pythias  name  Basilia. 
There  are  reported  the  Isles  Oonae,  wherein  the  Inhabitants 
live  on  Birds'  Eggs  and  Oats.  Others  also,  wherein  men 
are  born  with  the  Feet  of  Horses,  and  called  Hippopodes. 
Others  of  the  Panoti1,  who,  being  otherwise  naked,  have 
immensely  great  Ears  that  cover  their  whole  Bodies.  Then 
begins  a  clearer  Report  to  open  from  the  Nation  of  the 
Ingevoni,  the  first  of  the  Germans  in  those  Parts.  There  is 
the  exceeding  great,  Mountain  Sevo,  not  inferior  to  the  high 
Crags  of  Riphaeus,  which  maketh  a  very  large  Gulf,  as  far 
as  to  the  Cimbrians'  Promontory,  called  Codanus,  and  it  is 
full  of  Islands,  of  which  the  most  celebrated  is  Scandinavia, 
the  Magnitude  whereof  is  not  yet  discovered.  A  Part 
only  thereof,  as  much  as  is  known,  the  Nation  of  Helle- 
viones  inhabiteth,  in  500  Villages :  and  they  call  it  a  second 
World,  and  as  it  is  thought  Enigia  is  not  less.  Some  say, 
that  these  Parts,  as  far  as  to  the  River  Vistula,  are  in- 
habited by  the  Sarmati,  Veneti,  Scyri,  and  Hirri  :  also  that 

'  Some  editions  read  Fanesii,  but  Panotii  seems  the  more  correct ;  for 
as  the  Oonse  were  so  called  in  consequence  of  their  living  on  eggs,  and  the 
Hippopodes  because  they  had  horses'  feet,  so  the  Panoti  derived  their 
name  from  having  immensely  great  ears  that  covered  their  whole  bodies. 


BOOK  IV.]  History  of  Nature.  33 

the  Gulf  of  the  Sea  is  called  Clylipenus :  and  that  in  the 
Mouth  of  it  is  the  Island  Latris.  Also  that  not  far  from  it, 
there  is  another  Bay  bounding  upon  the  Cimbri.  The  Pro- 
montory of  the  Cimbrians  shooting  far  into  the  Seas;  maketh 
a  Peninsula,  which  is  called  Cartris.  Thence  three-and- 
twenty  Islands  are  known  by  the  Roman  Armies.  The 
noblest  of  them  are  Burchana,  called  by  our  countrymen 
Fabaria,  from  the  Plenty  of  Vegetables  growing  there  un- 
sown. Likewise  Glessaria,  so  called  by  the  Soldiers  from 
Amber ;  but  by  the  Barbarians,  Austrania  ;  and  besides  them 
Actania.  Along  this  Sea,  until  you  come  to  the  River  Scaldis, 
the  German  Nations  inhabit :  but  the  Measure  of  that  Tract 
can  scarcely  be  declared,  such  very  great  Discord  there 
is  among  Writers.  The  Greeks  and  some  of  our  own  Writers 
have  described  the  Coast  of  Germany  to  be  2500  Miles. 
Ayrippa  again,  joining  with  it  Rhsetia  and  Noricum,  saith, 
that  it  is  in  Length  686  miles,  and  in  Breadth  268.  And 
of  Rhsetia  alone,  the  Breadth  is  almost  greater,  at  least  at 
the  time  that  it  was  subdued,  and  the  People  departed  out 
of  Germany  :  for  Germany  was  discovered  many  years  after, 
and  is  not  all,  even  now.  But  if  it  be  permitted  to  guess,  there 
will  not  be  much  wanting  in  the  Coasts,  from  the  opinion 
of  the  Greeks ;  nor  in  the  Length  as  set  down  by  Agrippu. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 
Ger mania. 

OF  Germans,  there  are  five  Kinds  ;  the  Vindili,  a  part  of 
whom  are  the  Burgundiones,  Varini,  Carini,  and  Gurtones. 
A  second  kind,  the  Ingaevones,  part  of  whom  are  the  Cimbri, 
Teutoni,  and  the  Nations  of  the  Cauchi.  The  Istaevones  are 
the  nearest  to  the  Rhine  (Rhenus),  and  part  of  them  are  the 
Cimbri.  Then  the  Midland  Hermiones,  among  whom  are 
the  Suevi,  Hermunduri,  Chatti,  and  Cherusci.  The  fifth 
part  are  the  Peucini,  and  Basternae,  bordering  upon  the 
abovenamed  Dacae.  Notable  Rivers  that  run  into  the 
Ocean;  Guttalus,  Vistillus  or  Vistula,  Albis,  Visurgis,  Ami- 
VOL.  IT.  D 


34  History  of  Nature.  [Boox  IV. 

sius,  Rhenus,  Mosa.     And  within,  the  Hireynium  Hill,1  infe- 
rior to  none  in  estimation,  is  stretched  forward. 

CHAPTER  XV. 
Islands  in  the  Gallic  Ocean. 

IN  the  Rhine  itself,  for  almost  an  hundred  Miles  in 
Length,  is  the  most  noble  Island  of  the  Batavi,  Cannenu- 
fates;  and  others  of  the  Frisii,  Cauchi,  Frisiaboni,  Sturii, 
and  Marsatii,  which  are  spread  between  Helius  and  Flevus. 
For  so  are  the  Mouths  called,  into  which  Rhenus,  as  it  gushes, 
scatters  itself:  from  the  North  into  Lakes;  from  the  West 
into  the  River  Mosa.  But  in  the  middle  Mouth  between 
these,  he  keepeth  a  small  Channel,  of  his  own  name. 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

Britannia  and  Hybernia — England  and  Ireland.* 

OVER  against  this  Tract  lieth  the  Island  Britannia,  be- 
tween the  North  and  West;  renowned  in  Greek  and  Roman 

1  The  Hercynian  Hill  (jugum)  is  elsewhere  called  the  Hercynian 
Forest  (saltus). 

Although  Pliny  had  served  with  the  army  in  Germany,  and  had 
written  a  history  of  the  war  in  which  he  was  engaged,  yet  he  makes  no 
mention,  in  this  work,  of  any  city  or  region  of  that  country ;  a  proof 
that  the  celebrity  of  a  place  as  estimated  at  Rome,  was  the  measure  of  its 
importance  with  him. —  Wern.  Club. 

a  Different  suggestions  have  been  offered  in  explanation  of  the  word 
"  Britannia."  By  some  it  has  been  supposed  to  be  derived  from  the  British 
word  "  Brithy" — painted  ;  from  a  practice  by  the  inhabitants  of  staining 
their  skin  of  a  blue  colour  with  woad,  to  render  themselves  formidable  to 
their  enemies.  But  a  name  thence  derived  would  only  be  applied  by 
strangers,  who  would  not  have  selected  a  word  foreign  to  their  own  lan- 
guage to  express  the  custom.  It  is  more  likely,  therefore,  to  have  been 
derived  from  a  foreign  source;  and  it  is  Bochart's  opinion  that  it  was 
first  applied  by  the  Phoenicians,  in  whose  language  the  word  "  Baratanac" 
signifies  the  land  of  tin :  the  chief  produce  which  tempted  these  adven- 
turous merchants  to  visit  this  country,  and  make  settlements  in  its  most 
western  extremity,  at  a  very  remote  period.  The  word  became  after- 
wards translated  into  the  Greek  name  "  Cassiterides,"  which  was  applied  by 


BOOK  IV.]  History  of  Nature.  35 

Records.  It  is  opposite  to  Germania,  Gallia,  and  Hispania, 
the  greatest  Parts  by  far  of  Europe,  and  no  small  Sea  lying  be- 
tween. Albion  was  its  Name,  when  all  the  Islands  were  called 
Britannise,  of  which  by  and  by  we  will  speak.  This  (Island) 
is  from  Gessoriacum,  a  Coast  of  the  Nation  of  the  Morini, 
50  Miles  by  the  nearest  Passage.  In  Circuit,  as  M.  Pytheas 
and  Isidorus  report,  it  containeth  3825  Miles.  And  now  for 
about  30  Years  the  Roman  Armies  growing  into  further 
knowledge,  yet  have  not  penetrated  beyond  the  neighbour- 

the  latter  people,  more  particularly  to  the  Scilly  Islands  and  the  County 
of  Cornwall.  Albion  was  more  properly  the  Roman  name  of  the  coun- 
try ;  and  was  probably  derived  from  its  white  appearance,  as  seen  on  their 
approach  to  it  from  Gaul.  This  latter  name  was  retained  in  official  docu- 
ments, even  under  the  Saxon  dominion,  as  appears  from  a  charter  of 
-^Ethelred  in  the  10th  century;  in  which  he  terms  himself  "  Ego  .ZEthel- 
redus,  totius  Albionis,  Dei  gubernante  moderamine,  Basileus  :"  and  end- 
ing, "  Ego  .ZEthelredus  Rex  Anglorum." — HEARNE'S  Leland,  vol.  ii. 

As  natives  of  the  British  Islands,  we  cannot  but  regret  that,  while  the 
Author  has  been  so  minute  in  the  mention  of  places  lying  round  the 
borders  of  the  Mediterranean  Sea,  he  has  passed  over  with  neglect  the 
regions  and  towns  of  Britain  and  Ireland,  as  well  as  those  of  the  north  of 
Europe.  Although  his  knowledge  of  these  was  probably  limited,  the 
omission  can  scarcely  have  proceeded  from  ignorance  alone,  for  Suetonius 
informs  us,  that  the  Emperor  Vespasian,  who  was  the  great  patron  of  Pliny, 
had  subdued  twenty  cities  in  Britain,  together  with  the  Isle  of  Wight ;  and 
we  cannot  suppose  that  Pliny  remained  unacquainted  with  the  names  of 
any  of  them.  In  another  place  he  names  Camelodunum,  which  is  be- 
lieved to  be  Doncaster,  as  a  station  sufficiently  known,  from  which  to 
measure  the  distance  to  the  Island  Mona,  or  Anglesea;  and  the  city  of 
the  Trinobantes  had  been  previously  mentioned  by  Julius  Cassar.  His 
distribution  of  the  islands  lying  round  Britain  is  contradictory  as  well 
as  obscure ;  but  he  appears  to  regard  all  that  are  situated  west  of  the 
ordinary  place  of  passage  from  the  Continent  into  Britain,  (Gessoriacum, 
which  is  probably  Boulogne  on  the  one  side,  and  the  British  port  of  the 
Morini,  whether  Dover  or  Folkestone,)  as  being  necessarily  situated  be- 
tween Britain  and  Ireland.  Vectis  is  admitted  to  be  the  Isle  of  Wight ; 
but  by  some  authors  the  same  name  is  given  to  an  island  to  which  tin 
was  carried  from  Cornwall  in  carts,  and  from  which  it  was  afterwards 
exported.  From  a  comparison  of  ancient  authors,  Sir  Christopher  Haw- 
kins was  persuaded  that  this  could  be  no  other  thai  St.  Michael's  Mount, 
in  Cornwall ;  and  the  argument  urged  against  this  supposition,  built  on 
the  tradition  that  it  once  stood  within  the  land,  and  was  surrounded  by 


36  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  IV. 

hood  of  the  Caledonian  Forest.  Agrippa  believeth  that  it 
is  in  Length  800  miles,  and  in  Breadth  300 ;  and  also  that 
Ireland  is  as  broad,  but  not  so  long  by  200  Miles.  This 
Island  is  seated  above  it,  and  but  a  very  short  Passage 
distant ;  30  Miles  from  the  Nation  of  Silures.  Of  the 
other  Islands  there  is  none,  by  report,  in  Compass  more  than 
125  Miles.  But  there  are  the  Orcades  40,  divided  from  each 
other  by  small  spaces :  Acmodse  7,  and  30  Haebrides.  Also 
between  Britannia  and  Hibernia  are  Mona,  Monapia,  Ricnea, 

a  wood,  may  be  answered  by  believing  that  these  facts  refer  to  very  different 
ages  of  the  world.  The  Mictis  of  Pliny  may  be  this  Cornish  island ; 
his  error  in  the  distance  having  arisen  from  confounding  the  place 
of  export  for  tin  with  the  islands  producing  it.  To  the  latter,  or  Scilly 
Islands,  it  appears  the  Britons  were  accustomed  to  sail  in  their  wicker  boats 
covered  with  leather,  or  coracles  ;  a  mode  of  navigation  perhaps  not  less 
secure  than  the  somewhat  similar  vessels  at  present  in  use  among  the 
Greenlanders.  That  they  were  capable  of  a  considerable  voyage  appears 
from  the  fact,  that  they  have  been  employed  in  crossing  the  channel 
from  Armorica  to  Cornwall  so  late  as  about  the  7th  century.  It  must 
have  been  from  misinformation  that  Pliny  assigns  the  Cassiterides  (Chap. 
XXII.)  to  Spain;  but  even  this  great  error  may  be  excused,  by  recol- 
lecting that  in  a  preceding  age  the  merchants  had  succeeded  in  concealing 
the  situation  of  this  Cornish  group  from  the  inquiry  of  Julius  Caesar, 
when  he  was  tempted  to  invade  the  seat  of  pearls  and  tin ;  and  that 
Cadiz  was  the  Continental  port,  from  which  this  profitable  intercourse 
with  Cornwall  and  Scilly  had  from  the  remotest  ages  been  carried  on. 
The  Islands  mentioned  by  Pliny  may  be  judged  the  following  : — 

Orcades     .         .         .     Orkneys. 

Acmodce     .      probably  Zetland. 

Habredes,  Hebrides  .     Western  Islands. 

Mona        .         .        .     Anglesea. 

Monapia,  Monacedia,  and  by  others  Menavia,  Isle  of  Man. 

Ricnea,  qu.  Ricina  *  .    Birdsey,  between  Wales  and  Ireland. 

Vectis        .        .        .    Isle  of  Wight. 

Sttumnus   ...  ? 

Andros      ...  ? 

Siambis      ...  ? 

Axantos     ...  ? 

Mictis       .        .        .    St.  Michael's  Mount. 

GlessarifB  j  Nordstant,  in  the  German  Sea. 

Electrifies  ) 

Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  IV.]  History  of  Nature.  37 

Vectis,  Silimnus,  and  Andros :  but  beneath  Siambis  and 
Axantos:  and  on  the  contrary  side,  toward  the  German 
Sea,  there  lie  scattered  the  Glessaria?,  which  the  later  Greek 
Writers  have  named  Electrides,  because  Amber  was  pro- 
duced there.  The  farthest  of  all,  which  are  spoken  of,  is 
Thule  ;  in  which  there  are  no  Nights,  as  we  have  declared, 
at  the  Solstice,  when  the  Sun  passeth  through  the  Sign 
Cancer  ;  and  on  the  other  hand  no  Days  in  Midwinter ;  and 
each  of  these  Times  they  supposed  to  last  Six  Months. 
Timceus  the  Historiographer  saith,  That  farther  within,  at 
Six  Days'  sailing  from  Britannia,  is  the  Island  Mictis,  in 
which  White  Lead  is  produced,  and  that  the  Britanni  sail 
thither  in  Wicker  Vessels,  sewed  round  with  Leather.  Some 
make  mention  of  others,  as  Scandia,  Dumna,  and  Bergos ; 
and  the  biggest  of  all,  Nerigos;  from  which  Men  sail  to 
Thule.  Within  one  Day's  Sail  from  Thule  is  the  Frozen 
Sea,  named  by  some  Cronium. 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
Gallia. 

ALL  Gallia,  by  one  Name  called  Comata,  is  divided  into 
three  Kinds  of  People,  and  those  for  the  most  part  divided 
one  from  the  other  by  Rivers :  Belgica,  from  Scaldis  to 
Sequana  :  Celtica,  from  it  to  Garumna ;  and  this  Part  of 
Gallia  is  also  named  Lugdunensis.  From  thence  to  the  lying 
out  of  the  Mountain  Pyrenseus,  Aquitania,  formerly  called 
Aremorica.  Agrippa  hath  made  this  Computation  of  all 
the  Galliae  lying  between  Rhenus,  Pyrenaeus,  the  Ocean, 
and  the  Mountains  Gehenna  and  Jura ;  whereby  he  ex- 
cludeth  Narbonensis  Gallia;  in  Length  420  Miles,  and  in 
Breadth  313.  Next  to  Scaldis,  the  Toxandri  inhabit  the 
utmost  Borders,  under  many  Names.  Then  the  Menapii, 
Morini,  and  Oromansaci ;  joining  upon  that  District  which  is 
called  Gessoriacus,  the  Brinanni,  Ambiani,  Bellonici,  and 
Hassi.  Within,  the  Castologi,  Atrebates,  and  the  free  Nervii. 
The  Veromandui,Sueconi,and  free  Suessiones,freelllbanectes, 
Tungri,  Rinuci,  Frisiabones,  Betasi,  free  Leuci.  The  Treviri, 


38  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  IV. 

free  formerly  :  the  Lingones  Confederates  :  the  Remi  Confe- 
derate :  the  Mediomatrici,  the  Sequani,  the  Raurici,  and  Hel- 
vetii.  Colonies,  Equestris  and  Rauriaca.  But,  of  German 
Nations  in  the  same  Province,  that  dwell  near  the  Rhenus, 
the  Nemetes,  Tribochi,  and  Vangiones  :  then  the  Ubii,  Co- 
Ipnia  Agrippensis,  Gugerni,  Batavi,  and  those  whom  we 
spake  of  in  the  Islands  of  the  Rhenus. 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 
Lvgdunensis  Gallia. 

LUGDUNENSIS  GALLIA  containeth  the  Lexovii,  Velocasses, 
Galleti,  Veneti,  Abricatui,  Osismii,  and  the  noble  River  Li- 
geris :  but  a  remarkable  Peninsula  running  out  into  the 
Ocean  from  the  Extremity  of  the  Osismii,  having  in  cir- 
cuit 625  Miles:  with  its  Neck  125  Miles  broad.  Beyond 
it  dwell  the  Nannetes :  within,  the  Hoedui  Confederates, 
the  Carnuti  Confederates,  the  Boii,  Senones,  Aulerici, 
surnamed  Eburovices,  and  the  Cenomannes,  arid  Meldi, 
free.  Parrhisii,  Trecasses,  Andegavi,  Viducasses,  Vadicasses, 
Unelli,  Cariosvelites,  Diablindi,  Rhedones,  Turones,  Itesui, 
and  free  Secusiani,  in  whose  Country  is  the  Colony  Lug- 
dunum. 

CHAPTER  XIX. 
Aquitania. 

To  Aquitania  belong  the  Ambilatri,  Anagnutes,  Pictones, 
the  free  Santones  (Bituriges),  named  also  Vibisci,  Aquitani, 
from  whom  the  Province  is  named,  and  the  Sediboniates. 
Then  such  as  were  enrolled  into  a  Town  from  various  Parts  : 
Begerri,  Tarbeli,  who  came  under  4  Ensigns ;  Cocossati, 
under  6  Ensigns ;  Venami,  Onobrisates,  Belendi,  and  the 
Forest  Pyrenseus.  Beneath  them,  the  Monesi ;  Osquidates, 
Mountaineers ;  Sibyllates,  Camponi,  Bercorates,  Bipedimui, 
Sassumini,  Vellates,  Tornates,  Consoranni,  Ausci,  Elusates, 
Sottiates,  the  Field  Osquidates,  Succasses,  Latusates,  Basa- 
bocates,  Vassei,  Sennates,  Cambolectri,  Agesinates  joined  to 


BOOK  IV.]  History  of  Nature.  39 

the  Pictones.  Then  the  free  Bituriges,  who  are  also  called 
Cubi.  Next  to  them,  Lemovices,  the  free  Arverni,  and  Ga- 
bales.  Again,  those  that  border  upon  the  Province  Narbo- 
nensis;  the  Rutheni,  Cadurci,  Autobroges,  and  the  Petro- 
gori  divided  from  the  Tolosani  by  the  River  Tarne.  Seas 
about  the  Coast:  upon  the  Rhenus  the  North  Ocean :  between 
the  Rhenus  and  Sequana,  the  British  Ocean  :  between  it  and 
Pyrenseus,  the  Gallic  Ocean.  Islands  :  many  of  the  Veneti, 
which  are  called  also  Veneticae  :  and  in  the  Gulf  of  Aquitaine, 
Uliarus. 

CHAPTER  XX. 

The  Hither  Hispania. 

AT  the  Promontory  of  Pyrenaeus  beginneth  fiispania 
(Spain) ;  narrower  not  only  than  Gallia,  but  also  than  itself 
(as  we  may  say),  so  vast  a  Quantity  is  wrought  into  it  by 
the  Ocean  of  the  one  Coast,  and  the  Iberian  Sea  on  the 
other.  The  Mountains  of  Pyrenaeus,  which  from  the 
East  spread  all  the  way  to  the  Southwest,  make  Hispania 
shorter  on  the  North  Side  than  the  South.  The  nearest 
Border  of  this  hither  Province  is  the  same  as  the  Tract 
of  Tarracon,  from  Pyrenseus  along  the  Ocean,  to  the 
Forest  of  the  Vascones.  In  the  Country  of  the  Varduli : 
the  Towns  Olarso,  Morosgi,  Menosca,  Vesperies,  the  Port 
Amanum,  where  now  is  Flaviobriga,  a  Colony  of  nine  Cities. 
The  Region  of  the  Cantabri,  the  River  Sada,  the  Port  of 
Victoria,  inhabited  by  the  Juliobrigenses.  From  that  Place 
the  Fountains  of  tberus,  40  Miles.  The  Port  Biendium,  the 
Origeni,  intermingled  with  the  Cantabri.  Their  Harbours, 
Vesei  and  Veca  :  the  Country  of  the  Astures,  the  Town 
Noaga,  in  the  Peninsula  Pesicus.  And  then  the  Conventus 
Lucensis,  from  the  River  Navilubio,  the  Cibarci,  Egovarri, 
surnamed  Namarini,  ladoni,  Arrotrebae,  the  Promontory 
Celticum.  Rivers,  Florius  and  Nelo.  Celtici,  surnamed 
Neriae  :  and  above  the  Tamirici,  in  whose  Peninsula  are 
three  Altars  called  Sestianae,  dedicated  to  Augustus;  Ceepori, 
the  Town  Noela.  The  Celtici,  surnamed  Praesamarci,  Cileni. 
Of  Islands  worth  the  naming,  Corticata  and  Aunios.  From 


40  History  of  Nature.  [ BOOK  IV. 

the  Cileni,  the  Conventus  of  the  Bracae,  Heleni,  Gravii,  the 
Castle  Tyde,  all  descended  from  the  Greeks.  The  Islands 
Cicse,  the  distinguished  Town  Abobrica ;  the  River  Minius 
with  a  broad  Mouth,  four  Miles  over ;  the  Leuni,  Seurbi, 
Augusta,  a  Town  of  the  Bracse :  and  above  them,  Gallsecia; 
the  River  Limia.  The  River  Durius,  one  of  the  greatest  in 
Hispania,  springing  in  the  Pelendones' Country,  and  running 
by  Numantia :  and  so  on,  through  the  Arevaci  and  Vaccsei, 
dividing  the  Vettones  from  Asturia,  and  the  Gallaeci  from 
Lusitania  :  and  there  also  it  keepeth  off  the  Turduli  from  the 
Bracari.  All  this  Region  abovesaid  from  Pyreneeus  is  full 
of  Mines,  of  Gold,  Silver,  Iron,  Lead,  both  black  and  white 
(Tin). 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

Lusitania. 

FROM  the  (River)  Durius  beginneth  Lusitania,  wherein 
are  Turduli  the  old,  Pesuri,  the  River  Vacca.  The  Town 
Talabrica,  the  Town  and  River  Minium.  Towns,  Conim- 
brica,  Olisippo,  Eburo,  Britium.  From  whence  runneth  out 
into  the  Sea  with  a  mighty  Horn  the  Promontory,  which 
some  have  called  Artabrum  ;  others,  the  Great ;  and  many, 
Olissoponense,  from  the  Town,  making  a  Division  of  Land, 
Sea,  and  Sky.  By  it  is  the  Side  of  Hispania  determined, 
and  from  the  Compass  of  it  beginneth  the  Front. 

CHAPTER  XXII. 
Islands  in  the  Ocean. 

ON  the  one  hand,  is  the  North  and  the  Gallic  Ocean  : 
on  the  other,  the  West  and  the  Atlantic  Ocean.  The 
shooting  forth  of  the  Promontory  some  have  reported  to 
be  60  Miles,  others  90.  From  thence  to  Pyrenseus  not  a 
few  say  it  is  1250  Miles  ;  and  that  there  is  a  Nation  of  the 
Atabri,  which  never  was,  with  a  manifest  Error.  For  they 
have  set  the  Arrotrebae,  whom  we  have  placed  before  the 
Celtic  Promontory,  in  this  place,  by  exchanging  some  Let- 
ters. They  have  erred  also  in  certain  famous  Rivers.  From 


BOOK  IV.]  History  of  Nature.  41 

Minius  abovenamed  (as  Varro  saith)  J^minius  is  200  Miles 
distant  (which  some  take  to  be  elsewhere,  and  call  it  Limaea), 
named  by  the  ancients  Oblivionis  ;  of  which  goeth  many 
a  Fable.  From  Durius  to  Tagus  is  200  Miles,  and  Munda 
cometh  between.  Tagus  is  much  renowned  for  Sand  that 
yieldeth  Gold  :  160  Miles  from  it  the  Promontory  Sacrum 
(Sacred)  runneth  out  from  about  the  middle  Front  of  His- 
pania :  and  Varro  saith  it  is  14  Miles  from  it  to  the  midst  of 
Pyrenaeus.  But  from  Ana,  by  which  we  have  separated 
Lusitania  from  Bsetica,  226  Miles  :  adding  thereto  from 
Gades  102  Miles.  Nations  :  Cellici,  Varduli,  and  about  the 
Tagus,  the  Vettones.  From  Ana  to  Sacrum,  the  Lusitani. 
Memorable  Towns  :  from  Tagus  in  the  Coast  Side,  Olisippo, 
noble  for  the  Mares  that  conceive  there  by  the  Favonius 
Wind.  Salacia,  denominated  Urbs  Imperatoria,  and  Mero- 
brica  :  the  Promontory  Sacrum,  and  another  called  Caeneus.1 
Towns  :  Ossonoba,  Balsa,  and  Myrtius.  The  whole  Province 
is  divided  into  three  Conventions  :  Emeritensis,  Pacensis, 
and  Scalabitanus.  Itcontaineth  in  all  five-and-forty  People: 
wherein  are  five  Colonies,  one  Municipium  of  Roman  Citi- 
zens ;  three  of  Old  Latium.  Stipendiaries,  six-and-thirty. 
Colonies,  Augusta  Emerita :  and  upon  the  River  Ana, 
Metallinensis ;  Pacensis,  Norbensis,  which  is  named  also 
Caesariana.  To  it  are  laid  Castra  Julia  and  Castra  Caecilia. 
The  fifth  is  Scalabis,  called  Praesidiurn  Julium.  The  Muni- 
cipium of  Roman  Citizens  Olyssippo,  named  also  Felicitas 
Julia.  Towns  of  the  Old  Latium,  Ebora,  which  likewise  was 
called  Liberalitas  Julia  :  Myrtilis  also,  and  Salatia,  which  we 
have  spoken  of.  Of  Stipendiaries,  which  I  am  not  loth  to 
name,  beside  the  abovesaid,  in  the  additions  of  Baetica, 
Augustobrigenses,  Ammienses,  Aranditani,  Axabricenses, 
Balsenses,  Caesarobricenses,  Caperenses,  Caurenses,  Colarni, 
Cibilitani,  Concordienscs,  the  same  as  Bonori ;  Interau- 
senses,  Lancienses,  Mirobrigenses  surnamed  Celtici ;  Medu- 
bricenses,  the  same  as  Plumbarii ;  Ocelenses,  who  also  are 
Lancienses;  Turtuli,  named  Barduli,  and  Tapori.  M.Agrippa 

1   Cceneus  is  read  in  some  editions,  and  Cuneus  in  others. 


42  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  IV. 

hath  written,  that  Lusitania,  with  Asturia  and  Gallaecia,  is  in 
Length  540  Miles,  and  in  Breadth  526.  But  all  the  His- 
paniae  (Spains),  from  the  two  Promontories  of  Pyrenaeus  along 
the  Seas,  are  supposed  to  take  up  in  Circuit  of  the  whole 
Coast  2900  Miles,  and  by  others,  2700.  Over  against  Celti- 
beria  are  very  many  Islands,  called  by  the  Greeks  Cassiterides, 
from  the  plenty  of  Lead  :*  and  from  the  region  of  the  Pro- 
montory of  the  Arrotrebae,  six  named  Deorum  (i.  e.  of  the 
Gods)  which  some  have  called  Fortunatae.  But  in  the  very 
Cape  of  Bsetica,  from  the  Mouth  of  the  Strait  75  Miles, 
lieth  the  Island  Gades,  12  Miles  long,  as  Polylius  writeth, 
and  3  Miles  broad.  It  is  distant  from  the  Continent,  where 
it  is  nearest,  less  than  700  Paces,2  in  other  Parts  above  7 
Miles.  Its  space  containeth  15  Miles.  It  hath  a  Town  of 
Roman  Citizens,  which  is  named  Augusta,  Urbs  Julia 
Gaditana.  On  that  side  that  looks  toward  Spain,  within 
about  100  Paces,  is  another  Island,  3  Miles  long,  and  a 
Mile  broad,  wherein  formerly  was  the  Town  of  Gades.  The 
Name  of  this  Island,  according  to  Ephorus  and  P hilts  tides  t  is 
Erythia :  but  according  to  Timceus  and  Silenus,  Aphrodisias  : 
by  the  Native  Inhabitants,  of  Juno.  The  bigger,  Timeeus 
saith,  was  by  them  called  Cotinusa ;  our  Countrymen  name 
it  Tartessos,  the  Poani  Gadir,3  which  in  the  Punic  Lan- 
guage signifieth4  the  number  of  seven.5  Erythia  was 
called,  because  the  Tyri  were  reported  to  have  had  their 
first  beginning  out  of  the  (Red)  Sea,  Erythraeum.  Some  think 
that  Geryon  here  dwelt,  whose  Herds  Hercules  took  away. 
There  are  again  some  who  think  that  it  is  another,  over 

1  See  p.  36,  c.  xvi. 

1  Less  than  three-quarters  of  a  mile. 

8  Or  Gadiz. 

4  Septem,  or,  as  some  read,  Septum  (t.  e.  a  park  or  enclosure). 

s  From  the  Hebrew  root  signifying  to  make  a  fence,  the  Phoenicians 
called  any  enclosed  space  Gaddir,  and  particularly  gave  this  name  to  their 
settlement  on  the  south-western  coast  of  Spain,  which  the  Greeks  from 
them  called  Gaderia,  the  Romans  Gades,  and  we  Cadiz.  See  Bochart, 
vol.  i.  628-734.  This  name  is  very  appropriately  given  to  the  island 
mentioned  by  Pliny ;  but  why  it  should  be  derived  from  a  Punic  word 
signifying  seven  is  not  so  apparent. —  Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  IV.]  History  of  Nature.  43 

against  Lusitania,  and  there  sometime  called  by  the  same 
Name. 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 
The  Measure  of  all  Europe. 

HAVING  finished  the  circuit  of  Europe,  we  must  now 
yield  the  total  Sum,  that  such  as  are  desirous  of  Knowledge 
be  not  deficient  in  any  thing.  Artemidorus  and  Isldorus  have 
set  down  the  Length  of  it  from  Tanais  to  Gades  84,014 
Miles.  Polybius  hath  put  down  the  Breadth  of  Europe,  from 
Italy  to  the  Ocean  1150  Miles,  for  then  the  largeness  of  it 
was  not  known.  But  the  Breadth  of  Italy  itself  (as  we  have 
shewn)  is  1220  Miles  to  the  Alps :  from  whence  by  Lug- 
dunum  to  the  Port  of  the  Morini  in  Britain,  from  which 
Polybius  seemeth  to  take  his  Measure,  is  1168  Miles.  But 
the  more  certain  Measure,  and  the  longer,  is  directed  from 
the  said  Alps  to  the  extreme  West  and  the  Mouth  of  the 
Rhenus,  through  the  Camps  of  the  Legions  of  Germania, 
1243  Miles.  Now  will  we  proceed  to  describe  Africa  and 
Asia. 


IN   THE   FIFTH   BOOK 

ARE    CONTAINED 

REGIONS,  NATIONS,  SEAS,  TOWNS,  PORTS,  HILLS,  RIVERS,  WITH 

THEIR  MEASURES,   AND  PEOPLE,   EITHER  AT  THIS  DAY 

EXISTING,  OR  IN  TIMES  PAST,  VIZ.: 


CHAP. 

1.  Mauritania. 

2.  The  Province  Tingitana. 

3.  Numidia. 

4.  Africa. 

5.  Gyrene. 

6.  Lybia  Marseotis. 

7.  Islands  lying  about  Africa,  and 

over  against  Africa. 

8.  The  Ethiopians. 

9.  Asia. 

10.  Alexandria. 

11.  Arabia. 

12.  Syria,  Palasstina,  Phoenice. 

13.  Idumasa,  Syria,  Palaestina,  Sa- 

maria. 

14.  Judaea,  Galilea. 

15.  The  River  Jordan. 

16.  The  Lake  Asphaltites. 

17.  The  Essenes  (people). 

18.  The  Country  Decapolis. 

19.  Tyrus  and  Sidon. 

20.  The  Mount  Libanus. 


CHAP. 

21.  Syria  Antiochena. 

22.  The  Mountain  Casius. 

23.  Ccele-Syria. 

24.  The  River  Euphrates. 

25.  The  Region  Palmyra. 

26.  Hierapolis  (the  Country). 

27.  Cilicia  and  the  Nations  adjoin- 

ing :  Pamphylia,  Isauria, 
Homonades,  Pisidia,  Lyca- 
onia,  the  Mountain  Taurus, 
and  Lycia. 

28.  The  River  Indus. 

29.  Laodicea,  Apamia,  Ionia,  and 

Ephesus. 

30.  JEolis,  Troas,  Pergamus. 

31.  Islands  about  Asia,  the  Pain- 

phylian  Sea,  Rhodes,  Samus, 
and  Chius. 

32.  Hellespont,     Mysia,    Phrygia, 

Galatia,  Nicea,  Bithynia, 
Bosphorus. 


Herein  you  find  Towns  and  Nations,  principal  Rivers,  famous  Moun- 
tains, Islands,  117.  Towns  also  that  are  perished.  Affairs,  Histories  and 
Observations. 


LATIN  AUTHORS  ABSTRACTED  : 

Agrippa,  Suetonius  Pavlinus,  Varro  Atacinus,  Cornelius  Nepos,  Hyginus, 
L.  Vetus,  Mela,  Domitius  Corbulo,  Licinius  Mutianus,  Claudius  Ccesar, 
Aruntius,  Livius  the  Son,  Sebosus,  the  Records  of  the  Triumphs. 

FOREIGN  WRITERS  : 

King  Juba,  Hecatceus,  Hellanicus,  Damastes,  Diccearchus,  Bion,  Timo- 
sthenes,  Philonides,  Xenagoras,  Astynomus,  Staphylus,  Aristotle,  Dionysius, 
Aristocritus,  Ephorus,  Eratosthenes,  Hipparchus,  Pancetius,  Serapion  An- 
tiochenas,  Callimachus,  Agathocles,  Polybius,  Timceus  the  Mathematician, 
Herodotus,  Myrsilus,  Alexander  Polyhistor,  Metrodorus,  Posidonius  who 
wrote  Periplus  or  Periegesis,  Sotades,  Periander,  Aristarchus  Sicyonius, 
Eudoxus,  Antigenes,  Callicrates,  Xenophon  Lampsacenus,  Diodorus  Syra- 
cusanus,  Hanno,  Himilco,  Nymphodorus,  CaUiphon,  Artemidorus,  Mcga- 
sthenes,  Isidores,  Cleobulus,  Aristocreon. 


THE  FIFTH  BOOK 


HISTORY    OF    NATURE. 


WRITTEN    BY 


C.  PLINIUS  SECUNDUS. 


The  Description  of  Africa. 

AFRICA  the  Greeks  have  called  Lybia;  from 
which  the  Lybian  Sea  before  it  beginneth,  and 
endeth  in  the  Egyptian.  No  part  of  the  Earth 
receiveth  fewer  Gulfs  in  that  long  compass  of 
oblique  Coasts  from  the  West.  The  Names 
of  its  People  and  Towns  are  exceedingly  hard 

to  be  Pronounced,  unless  by  their  own  Tongues  :  and  again, 

they  for  the  most  part  dwell  in  Castles. 


CHAPTER  I. 
Mauritania. 

AT  the  beginning,  the  Lands  of  Mauritania,  until  the 
time  of  C.  Ccesar  (i.  e.  Caligula),  son  of  Germanicus,  were 
called  Kingdoms :  but  by  his  Cruelty  it  was  divided  into  two 
Provinces.  The  utmost  Promontory  of  the  Ocean  is  named 
by  the  Greeks  Ampelusia.  The  Towns  were  Lissa  and  Cotes 


46  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  V. 

beyond  the  Pillars  of  Hercules.  Now  there  is  Tingi,  formerly 
built  by  Antceus ;  and  afterwards  by  Claudius  Ccesar,  when  he 
made  it  a  Colony,  by  whom  it  was  called  Traducta  Julia.  It 
is  from  Belone,  a  Town  in  Bsetica,  by  the  nearest  Passage,  30 
Miles.  Five-and-Twenty  Miles  from  it,  in  the  Coast  of  the 
Ocean,  is  a  Colony  of  Augustus,  now  Julia  Constantia,  exempt 
from  the  Jurisdiction  of  the  Kings  of  Zilis  :  and  commanded 
to  seek  for  Law  to  Baetica.  And  32  Miles  from  it  is  Lixos, 
made  a  Colony  by  Claudius  Ccesar,  of  which  in  old  Time  there 
were  related  many  Fabulous  Tales.  There  stood  the  Royal 
Palace  of  Antceus  ;  there  was  the  combat  with  Hercules  ;  there 
also  were  the  Gardens  of  the  Hesperides.  Now  there  floweth 
into  it  out  of  the  Sea  a  Creek  by  a  winding  Channel,  in 
which  Men  now  interpret  that  there  were  Dragons  serving 
as  Guards.  It  encloseth  an  Island  within  itself,  which  (not- 
withstanding the  Tract  near  it  is  somewhat  higher)  is  alone 
not  overflowed  by  the  Tides  of  the  Sea.  In  it  there  standeth 
an  Altar  of  Hercules ;  and  except  wild  Olives,  nothing  is  to 
be  seen  of  that  Grove,  reported  to  bear  Golden  Apples. 
And  indeed  less  may  they  wonder  at  the  enormous  lies  of 
Greece  invented  concerning  these,  and  the  River  Lixus  ; 
who  will  think  how  of  late  our  Countrymen  have  delivered 
some  Fables  scarcely  less  monstrous,  regarding  the  same 
things  :  as,  that  this  is  a  very  strong  City,  bigger  than  great 
Carthage  :  moreover,  that  it  is  situated  over  against  it,  arid 
almost  at  an  immense  way  from  Tingi :  and  other  such, 
which  Cornelius  Nepos  hath  been  very  eager  to  believe. 
From  Lixus  40  Miles,  in  the  Midland  Parts,  standeth  Babba, 
another  Colony  of  Augustus,  called  Julia  Campestris :  also 
a  third  75  Miles  off,  called  Banasa,  but  now  Valentia. 
35  Miles  from  it  is  the  Town  Volubile,  just  in  the  midway 
between  both  Seas.  But  in  the  Coast,  50  Miles  from  Lixus, 
there  runneth  Subur,  a  copious  and  navigable  River,  near  to 
the  Colony  Banasa.  As  many  Miles  from  it  is  the  Town 
Sala,  standing  upon  a  River  of  the  same  Name,  near  now  to 
the  Wilderness,  much  infested  with  Herds  of  Elephants,  but 
much  more  with  the  Nation  of  the  Autololes,  through 
which  lieth  the  Way  to  Atlas,  the  most  fabulous  Mountain  of 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  47 

Africa.  For  Writers  have  given  out  that,  rising  out  of  the 
very  midst  of  the  Sands,  it  mounteth  to  the  Sky,  rough  and 
ill-favoured  on  that  side  which  lieth  toward  the  Shore  of  the 
Ocean,  unto  which  it  gave  the  Denomination  :  and  the  same 
is  shadowy,  full  of  Woods,  and  watered  with  Sources  of 
spouting  Springs,  on  the  way  which  looketh  to  Africa,  with 
Fruits  of  all  sorts,  springing  of  their  own  accord,  one  under 
another,  in  such  a  manner,  that  at  no  time  is  Fulness  of  Plea- 
sure wanting.  Moreover,  that  none  of  the  Inhabitants  are 
seen  by  day  :  all  is  silent,  like  the  Awe  of  Solitude  :  a  secret 
Devotion  creepeth  into  the  Hearts  of  those  who  approach 
near  to  it ;  and  besides  this  Awe  they  are  lifted  above  the 
Clouds,  even  close  to  the  Circle  of  the  Moon  :  that  the  same 
(Mountain)  shineth  by  Night  with  frequent  Fires,  and  is 
filled  with  the  Lasciviousness  of  ^Egi panes  and  Satyrs  ;  that  it 
resoundeth  with  the  Melody  of  Flutes  and  Pipes ;  and 
ringeth  with  the  Sound  of  Drums  and.  Cymbals.  These  are 
the  Reports  of  famous  Writers,  besides  the  Labours  of 
Hercules  and  Perseus  there.  The  Way  unto  it  is  exceedingly 
long,  and  not  certainly  known.  There  were  also  Com- 
mentaries of  Hanno,  the  General  of  the  Carthaginians,  who 
in  the  time  of  the  most  flourishing  state  of  Carthage  had  a 
charge  to  explore  the  Circuit  of  Africa.  Him,  most  of  the 
Greeks  as  well  as  our  Countrymen  following,  among  some 
other  fabulous  Stories,  have  written  that  he  also  built  many 
Cities  there  :  but  neither  any  Memorial,  nor  Token  of  them 
remain.  When  Scipio  jEmylianus  carried  on  War  in  Africa, 
PolyUus,  the  Writer  of  the  Annals,  received  from  him  a  Fleet ; 
and  having  sailed  about  for  the  purpose  of  searching  into  that 
part  of  the  World,  he  reported,  That  from  the  said  Mountain 
West,  toward  the  Forests  full  of  Wild  Beasts,  which  Africa 
breedeth,  to  the  River  Anatis,  are  485  Miles  ;  and  from 
thence  to  Lixus,  205.  Agrippa  saith,  That  Lixus  is  distant 
from  the  Straits  of  Gades  112  Miles.  Then,  that  there  is  a 
Bay  called  Saguti;  also  a  Town  upon  the  Promontory, 
Mutelacha.  Rivers,  Subur  and  Sala.  That  the  Port 
Rutubis  is  from  Lixus  313  Miles.  Then  the  Promontory 
of  the  Sun.  The  Port  Risardir :  the  Gaetulians,  Autololes, 


48  History  of  'Nature.  [BooK  V. 

the  River  Cosenus,  the  Nation  of  the  Scelatiti  and  Massati. 
The  Rivers  Masatal  and  Darat,  wherein  Crocodiles  are  pro- 
duced. Then  a  Bay  of  516  Miles,  enclosed  within  the  Promon- 
tory of  the  Mountain  Barce,  running  out  into  the  West,  which 
is  called  Surrentium .  After  it,  the  River  Palsus,  beyond  which 
are  the  ^Ethiopian  Perorsi,  and  at  their  back  are  the  Pharusi. 
Upon  whom  join  the  inland  People,  the  Gaetuli  Darse.  But 
upon  the  Coast  are  the  .Ethiopian  Daratitae ;  the  River 
Bambotus  full  of  Crocodiles  and  Hippopotami.  From  which, 
he  saith,  there  is  a  Continuation  of  Mountains  as  far  as  to 
that  which  we  call  Theon-Ochema  (the  Gods'  Chariot). 
Then,  in  sailing  nine  Days  and  Nights  to  the  Promontory 
Hesperium,  he  hath  placed  the  Mountain  Atlas  in  the  mid- 
way ;  which  by  all  other  Writers  is  set  down  to  be  in  the 
utmost  Borders  of  Mauritania.  The  Romans  first  warred  in 
Mauritania,  in  the  time  of  Claudius  the  Prince :  when 
jEdtemon,  the  Freedman  of  King  PtolenuEus,  who  was 
slain  by  C.  Ctzsar,  endeavoured  to  avenge  his  Death.  For 
as  the  Barbarians  fled  backward,  the  Romans  came  to  the 
Mountain  Atlas.  And  not  only  to  such  Generals  as  had 
been  Consuls,  and  to  such  as  were  of  the  Seriate,  who  at  that 
time  managed  affairs,  but  to  Knights  also,  who  from  that 
time  had  command  there,  was  it  a  glory  to  have  pene- 
trated to  the  Atlas.  *Five  Roman  Colonies,  as  we  have 
said,  are  in  that  Province,  and  by  common  fame  it  may  seem 
to  be  accessible.  But  this  is  found  for  the  most  part  by 
Experience  very  fallacious  :  because  Persons  of  high  Rank, 
when  it  is  irksome  to  search  out  the  Truth,  find  it  not  irk- 
some through  the  shame  of  Ignorance,  to  give  out  Untruths  : 
and  never  are  Men  more  credulous  to  be  deceived  than  when 
some  grave  Author  fathereth  the  lie.  And  indeed  I  less 
wonder,  that  things  are  not  known,  when  they  of  the  Eques- 
trian Order,  and  those  now  also  of  the  Senatorial  Rank, 
admire  nothing  but  Luxury :  which  very  powerful  and  pre- 
vailing Force  is  seen  when  Forests  are  searched  for  Ivory  and 
Citron-trees :  and  all  the  Rocks  in  Getulia  for  Murices  and 

*  It  seemeth  that  this  clause  is  to  be  set  in  the  beginning  of  the  next 
chapter. . 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  49 

Purpurse.  Nevertheless  the  natural  Inhabitants  report,  That 
in  the  Sea-coast  150  Miles  from  Sala  there  is  the  River 
Asana,  that  receiveth  Salt  Water  into  it,  but  with  a  goodly 
Harbour :  and  not  far  from  it  a  River,  which  they  call  Fut : 
from  which  to  Dyris  (for  that  is  the  Name  in  their  Language 
of  Atlas)  are  200  Miles,  with  a  River  coming  between, 
named  Vior.  And  there,  by  report,  are  to  be  seen  the  cer- 
tain tokens  of  a  Soil  formerly  inhabited ;  the  vestiges  of 
Vineyards  and  Date-tree  Groves.  Suetonius  Paulinus  (a 
Consul  in  our  time),  who  was  the  first  Roman  Leader  that 
passed  over  Atlas  for  the  space  of  some  Miles,  also  hath  re- 
ported regarding  the  height  thereof:  and  moreover,  that  the 
foot  of  it  toward  the  bottom  is  full  of  thick  and  tall  Woods, 
with  Trees  of  an  unknown  kind,  but  the  height  of  them  is 
delightful  to  see,  smooth  and  beautiful,  the  branches  like 
Cypress  ;  and,  besides  the  strong  smell,  are  covered  over 
with  a  thin  Down,  of  which  (with  some  help  of  Art)  fine 
Cloth  may  be  made,  such  as  the  Silk-worm  yieldeth  :  that 
the  top  of  it  is  covered  with  deep  Snow,  even  in  Summer, 
and  that  he  reached  up  to  it  on  the  tenth  day,  and  beyond  to 
the  River  called  Niger,  through  solitudes  of  black  Dust, 
with  sometimes  conspicuous  ragged  Rocks,  appearing  as  if 
burnt :  places  by  reason  of  the  Heat  not  habitable,  although 
tried  in  the  Winter  Season.  Those  who  dwelt  in  the  next 
Forests  were  pestered  with  Elephants,  wild  Beasts,  and 
Serpents  of  all  sorts  ;  and  those  People  were  called  Canarii ; 
because  they  and  Animals  feed  together,  and  part  among 
them  the  Bowels  of  wild  Beasts.  For  it  is  sufficiently 
known  that  a  Nation  of  ^Ethiopians,  whom  they  call  Peroresi, 
joineth  to  them.  Juba,  the  Father  of  Ptolemceus,  who  for- 
merly ruled  over  both  Mauritania,  a  Man  more  memorable 
for  his  illustrious  Studies  than  for  his  Kingdom,  hath  written 
the  like  concerning  Atlas ;  and  (he  saith)  moreover,  that 
there  is  an  Herb  growing  there  called  Euphorbia,  from  his 
Physician's  name  that  first  found  it:  the  Milky  Juice  of 
which  he  praiseth  exceedingly  much  for  clearing  the  Eyes 
and  against  Serpents  and  all  Poisons,  in  a  dedicated  Book  by 
itself.  Thus  much  may  suffice,  if  not  too  much,  about  Atlas. 


50  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  V. 

CHAPTER  II. 
The  Province  Tingitania. 

THE  Length  of  the  Province  Tingitania  is  170  Miles.  The 
Nations  therein  are  these :  The  Mauri,  which  in  times  past 
was  the  principal,  and  of  whom  the  Province  took  its  Name: 
and  those  most  Writers  have  called  Marusii.  Being  by  War 
weakened,  they  wasted  to  a  few  Families.  Next  to  them 
were  the  Massaesuli,  but  in  like  manner  they  were  extin- 
guished. Now  are  the  Nations  inhabited  by  the  Getulae, 
Bannurri,  and  the  Autololes,  the  most  powerful  of  all :  a 
part  of  whom  were  once  the  Vesuni :  but  being  divided  from 
them,  they  became  a  Nation  by  themselves,  and  were  turned 
to  the  Ethiopians.  This  Province  being  full  of  Mountains 
eastward,  affordeth  Elephants.  In  the  Mountain  Abila, 
also,  and  in  those  which  for  their  equal  height  they  call 
the  Seven  Brethren  :  these  are  joined  to  Abila,  which  looketh 
over  the  arm  of  the  Sea.  From  these  beginneth  the  Coast  of 
the  Inward  Sea.  The  River  Tamuda  navigable,  and  for- 
merly a  Town.  The  River  Laud,  which  also  is  able  to 
receive  Vessels.  The  Town  Rusardir,  and  the  Harbour. 
The  navigable  River  Malvana.  The  Town  Siga,  over 
against  Malacha,  situated  in  Hispania  :  the  royal  Seat  of 
Syphax,  and  now  the  other  Mauritania.  For  a  long  time  they 
kept  the  names  of  the  Kings,  so  that  the  furthest  was  called 
Bogadiana:  and  likewise  Bocchi,  which  now  is  Csesariensis. 
Next  to  it  is  the  Harbour  for  its  space  called  Magnus,  with  a 
Town  of  Roman  Citizens.  The  River  Muluca,  which  is  the 
limit  of  Bocchi  and  the  Massaesuli.  Quiza  Xeriitana,  a  Town 
of  Strangers  :  Arsennaria,  a  Town  of  Latins,  3  Miles  from  the 
Sea :  Carcenna,  a  Colony  of  Augustus,  the  Second  Legion  : 
Likewise  another  Colony  of  his,  planted  with  the  Pretorian 
Cohort :  Gunugi :  and  the  Promontory  of  Apollo.  And  a 
most  famous  Town  there,  Caesarea,  usually  in  old  time  called 
lol,  the  royal  Seat  of  King  Juba :  endowed  by  Divus  Clau- 
dius with  the  Right  of  a  Colony,  by  whose  Appointment  the 
old  Soldiers  were  there  bestowed.  A  new  Town,  Tipasa, 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  51 

with  the  Liberties  of  Latiura.  Likewise  Icosium,  endowed 
by  Vespasian  the  Emperor  with  the  same  Gift.  The  Colony 
of  Augustus,  Rusconiae:  and  Ruscurum,  by  Claudius  honoured 
as  a  City  :  Rusoezus,  a  Colony  of  Augustus.  Salde,  a  Colony 
of  the  same.  Igelgili  also,  and  Turca,  a  Town  seated  upon 
the  Sea  and  the  River  Ampsaga.  Within  Land,  the  Colony 
Augusta,  the  same  as  Succubar;  and  likewise  Tubrisuptus. 
Cities,  Timici,  Tigavse.  Rivers,  Sardabala  and  Nabar.  The 
Nation,  Macurebi :  the  River  Usar  and  the  Nation  of  the 
Nabades.  The  River  Ampsaga  is  from  Csesarea  233 
Miles.  The  Length  of  either  Mauritania  is  839  Miles,  the 
Breadth,  467. 

CHAPTER  III. 
Numidia. 

NEXT  to  Ampsaga  is  Numidia,  renowned  for  the  Name  of 
Masanissa:  called  by  the  Greeks,  the  Land  Metagonitis. 
The  Numidian  Nomades  (so  named  from  changing  their  Pas- 
ture), who  carry  their  Huts,  that  is,  their  Houses,  about  with 
them  upon  Waggons.  Their  Towns  are  Cullu  and  Rusicade  ; 
from  which  48  Miles  off,  within  the  midland  Parts  is  the 
Colony  Cirta,  surnamed  of  the  Sittiani ;  another  also  within 
Cicca,  and  a  free  Town  named  Bulla  Regia.  But  in  the  Coast, 
Tacatua,  Hippo  Regius,  and  the  River  Armua.  The  Town 
Trabacha,  of  Roman  Citizens  :  the  River  Tusca,  which 
boundeth  Numidia :  and  besides  the  Numidian  Marble,  and 
abundance  of  wild  Beasts,  nothing  is  there  worth  the 
noting. 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Africa. 

FROM  Tusca  forward  is  the  Region  Zeugitana,  and  the 
Country  properly  called  Africa.  Three  Promontories  :  the 
White ;  then  that  of  Apollo,  over  against  Sardinia:  that  of  Mer- 
cury opposite  to  Sicily ;  which,  running  into  the  Sea,  make 
two  Bays :  the  one  Hipponensis,  next  to  the  Town  which 
they  call  Hipponis,  named  by  the  Greeks  Diarrhyton,  on 


52  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  V. 

account  of  Brooks  of  Water :  upon  this  bordereth  Theudalis, 
an  exempt  Town,  but  further  from  the  Sea-side  ;  then  the 
Promontory  of  Apollo.  And  in  the  other  Bay,  Utica,  of 
Roman  Citizens,  ennobled  by  the  death  of  Cato :  the  River 
Bagrada.  A  Place  called  Castra  Cornelia  :  and  the  Colony 
Carthago,  among  the  Relics  of  great  Carthage:  and  the 
Colony  Maxulla.  Towns,  Carpi,  Misna,  and  the  free  Clupea, 
upon  the  Promontory  of  Mercury.  Also,  free  Towns,  Cu- 
rubis  and  Neapolis.  Soon  is  another  distinction  of  Africa 
itself.  Libyphoenices  are  they  called,  who  inhabit  Byzacium  ; 
for  so  is  that  Region  named :  containing  in  Circuit  250  Miles, 
exceedingly  fertile,  where  the  Ground  sown  yieldeth  to  the 
Husbandman  an  hundred-fold  Increase.  In  it  are  free  Towns, 
Leptis,  Adrumetum,  Ruspina,  and  Thapsus :  then,  Thenae, 
Macomades,  Tacape,  Sabrata,  reaching  to  the  Lesser  Syrtis : 
unto  which,  the  Length  of  Numidia  and  Africa  from  Am- 
phaga  is  580  Miles  :  the  Breadth,  of  so  much  as  is  known, 
200.  This  Part,  which  we  have  called  Africa,  is  divided  into 
two  Provinces,  the  old  and  the  new  ;  separated  by  a  Fosse 
brought  as  far  as  to  Thense,  within  the  African  Gulf;  which 
Town  is  217  Miles  from  Carthage.  The  third  Bay  is  sepa- 
rated into  two ;  horrible  Places  for  the  Shallows  and  ebbing 
and  flowing  of  the  Sea  at  the  two  Syrtes.  From  Carthage 
to  the  nearer  of  them,  which  is  the  lesser,  is  300  Miles,  by 
the  Account  of  Polybius :  who  saith,  also,  that  the  said  Pas- 
sage of  Syrtis  is  100  Miles  forward  and  300  in  Circuit.  By 
Land  also,  the  Way  to  it  is  by  observation  of  the  Stars,  and 
through  the  Desert  over  Sands  and  through  Places  full  of 
Serpents ;  you  pass  Forests  filled  with  Numbers  of  wild 
Beasts  :  and  within,  Solitudes  of  Elephants  :  and  soon  after, 
vast  Deserts,  even  beyond  the  Garamantes,  who,  from  the 
Augilse,  are  distant  twelve  Days'  Journey.  Above  them  was 
the  Nation  of  the  Psylli :  and  above  them  the  Lake  of  Lyco- 
medes  environed  with  Deserts.  The  Augilee  themselves  are 
seated  about  the  middle  Way  from  Ethiopia  ;  which  bendeth 
Westward,  and  from  the  Country  lying  between  the  two 
Syrtes,  with  an  equal  Distance  on  each  Side  :  but  the  Shore 
between  the  two  Syrtes  is  250  Miles.  There  standeth  the 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  53 

City  Oeensis,  the  River  Cinyps,  and  the  Country.  Towns, 
Neapolis,  Taphra,  Abrotonum,  the  other  Leptis,  called  also 
the  Great.  Then  the  Greater  Syrtis,  in  Compass  625  Miles, 
and  in  direct  Passage  313.  Then  inhabit  the  Nation  of  Cisi- 
pades.  In  the  inmost  Gulf  was  the  Coast  of  the  Lotophagi, 
whom  some  have  called  Alachroas,  as  far  as  to  the  Altars  of 
the  Philaeni,  and  they  are  formed  of  Sand.  Next  to  them,  not 
far  from  the  Continent,  the  vast  Marsh  admitteth  into  it  the 
River  Triton,  and  taketh  its  Name  from  it :  but  Callimachus 
calleth  it  Pallantias,  and  saith  it  is  on  this  Side  the  lesser 
Syrtes  ;  but  many  place  it  between  both  Syrtes.  The  Pro- 
montory that  encloseth  the  greater  is  named  Borion.  Beyond 
is  the  Province  Cyrenaica.  From  the  River  Ampsaga  to  this 
Bound,  Africa  containeth  26  separate  People,  who  are  subject 
to  the  Roman  Empire :  among  which  are  six  Colonies,  be- 
sides the  above-named,  Uthina  and  Tuburbis.  Towns  of 
Roman  Citizens,  15  ;  of  which  those  in  the  midland  Parts  to 
be  named  are  Azuritanum,  Ahutucense,  Aboriense,  Cano- 
picum,  Chilmanense,  Simittuense,  Thunusidense,  Tuburni- 
cense,  Tynidrumense,  Tribigense,  two  Ucitana,  the  greater 
and  less;  and  Vagiense.  One  Latin  Town,  Usalitanum. 
One  stipendiary  Town  near  Castra  Cornelia.  Free  Towns, 
30,  of  which  are  to  be  named,  within,  Acrolitanum,  Achari- 
tanum,  Avinense,  Abziritanum,  Canopitanum,  Melzitanum, 
Madaurense,  Salaphitanum,  Tusdritarmm,  Tiricense,  Tiphi- 
cense,  Tunicense,  Theudense,  Tagestense  (Tigense),  Ulusi- 
britanurn,  another  Vagense,  Vigense,  and  Zarnensti.  The 
rest  it  may  be  right  to  call  not  only  Cities,  but  also  for  the 
most  Part,  Nations ;  as  the  Natabudes,  Capsitani,  Misulani, 
Sabarbares,  Massili,  Misives,  Vamacures,  Ethini,  Massini, 
Marchubii :  and  all  Gaetulia  to  the  River  Nigris,  which 
parteth  Africa  and  Ethiopia. 

CHAPTER  V. 
CyrenS. 

THE   Region   Cyrenaica,    called   also    Pentapolitana,  is 
illustrious  for  the  Oracle  of  Hammon,  which  is  from  Cyrenae 


54  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  V. 

400  Miles,  from  the  Fountain  of  the  Sun ;  and  principally 
for  five  Cities,  Berenice,  Arsinoc,  Ptolemais,  Apollonia,  and 
Gyrene  itself.  Berenice  standeth  upon  the  outermost  Horn 
of  Syrtis,  called  formerly  the  City  of  the  above-named  Hes- 
perides,  according  to  the  wandering  Tales  of  Greece.  And 
before  the  Town,  not  far  off,  is  the  River  Lethon,  the  sacred 
Grove  where  the  Gardens  of  the  Hesperides  are  reported  to 
be.  From  Leptis  it  is  385  Miles.  From  it  is  Arsinoe,  usually 
named  Teuchira,  43  Miles :  and  from  thence  22  Miles, 
Ptolemais,  called  in  old  time  Barce.  And  then  250  Miles 
off,  the  Promontory  Phycus  runneth  out  through  the  Cretic 
Sea,  distant  from  Taenarus,  a  Promontory  of  Laconia,  350 
Miles  :  but  from  Greta  itself  125  Miles.  And  after  it  Gyrene, 
1 1  Miles  from  the  Sea.  From  Phycus  to  Apollonia  is  24 
Miles:  to  Cherrhonesus,  88:  and  so  to  Catabathnus,  216 
Miles.  The  Inhabitants  there  bordering  are  the  Marmaridae, 
stretching  out  in  Length  almost  from  Paraetonium  to  the 
Greater  Syrtis.  After  them  the  Ararauceles  :  and  so  in  the 
very  Coast  of  Syrtis,  the  Nesamones,  whom  formerly  the 
Greeks  called  Mesammones,  by  reason  of  the  Place,  as 
seated  hi  the  midst  between  the  Sands.  The  Cyrenaic 
Country,  for  the  Space  of  15  Miles  from  the  Sea-shore,  is 
fruitful  for  Trees :  and  for  the  same  Compass  within  the 
Land,  for  Corn  only:  but  then  for  30  Miles  in  Breadth,  and 
250  in  Length,  for  Laser.1  After  the  Nasamones  live  the 
Hasbitae  and  Masae.  Beyond  them  the  Hammanientes,  11 
Days' Journey  from  the  Greater  Syrtis  to  the  West ;  and  even 
they  also  every  Way  are  compassed  about  with  Sands :  but 

1  The  plant  that  yielded  the  Cyrenaic  juice  called  Laser,  was  the 
Silphion  of  the  Greeks,  and  the  Laserpitium  of  the  Romans  (Thapsia 
Silphion,  Viviani),  and  agrees  tolerably  well  with  the  rude  figures  struck 
on  the  Cyrenean  coins.  It  would  appear,  however,  that  the  Cyrenaic 
juice  becoming  scarce,  the  ancients  employed  some  other  substance  of 
similar,  though  inferior  properties,  as  a  substitute,  and  to  both  of  them 
they  applied  the  term  Laser.  Pliny  (lib.  xix.  c.  3)  says,  "  For  a  long 
time  past  the  only  Laser  brought  to  us  is  that  which  is  produced  abun- 
dantly in  Persia,  &c.,  but  it  is  inferior  to  the  Cyrenaic."  Now  it  is  not  at 
all  improbable  that  the  Laser  of  Persia  may  have  been  our  Asafcedita 
(Ferula  Asafatdita,  Li*.)—Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  55 

they  find  without  much  difficulty  Wells  almost  in  the  Depth 
of  two  Cubits,  where  the  Waters  of  Mauritania  settle.  They 
build  themselves  Houses  of  Salt,  hewn  out  of  their  own 
Mountains  in  the  manner  of  Stone.  From  these  to  the  Tro- 
glodites,  in  the  South-west  Coast,  the  Country  is  four  Days' 
Journey;  with  whom  is  a  Traffic  only  for  a  precious  Stone, 
which  we  call  a  Carbuncle,  brought  out  of  Ethiopia.  There 
cometh  between,  the  Country  Phazania  toward  the  Solitudes 
of  Africa,  above  the  said  Lesser  Syrtis :  where  we  subdued 
the  Nation  of  the  Phazanii,  with  the  Cities  Alele  and  Cillaba. 
Also  Cydamum,  over  against  the  region  of  Sabrata.  Next  to 
these  is  a  Mountain,  reaching  a  great  way  from  East  to 
West,  called  by  our  People  Ater,  as  if  burnt  by  Nature,  or 
scorched  by  the  reflection  of  the  Sun.  Beyond  that  Moun- 
tain are  the  Deserts :  also  Matelgse,  a  Town  of  the  Gara- 
mantes,  and  likewise  Debris,  which  casteth  forth  a  Fountain, 
the  Waters  boiling  from  Noon  to  Midnight,  and  for  as  many 
Hours  to  Mid-day  reducing  again  :  also  the  very  illustrious 
Town  Garama,  the  head  of  the  Garamantes.  All  which 
Places  the  Roman  Arms  have  conquered,  and  over  them 
Cornelius  Balbus  triumphed ;  the  only  Man  of  Foreigners 
that  was  honoured  with  the  (Triumphant)  Chariot,  and  en- 
dowed with  the  Freedom  of  Roman  Citizens  ;  because  being 
born  at  Gades,  he  and  his  Uncle,  Balbus  the  Elder,  were 
made  free  Denizens  of  Rome.  And  this  wonder  our  Writers 
have  recorded,  that  besides  the  Towns  above  named  by  him 
conquered,  himself  in  his  Triumph  carried  the  Names  and 
Images,  not  of  Cydamus  and  Garama  only,  but  also  of  all 
the  other  Nations  and  Cities ;  which  went  in  this  Order. 
The  Town  Tabidium,  the  Nation  Niteris ;  the  Town  Neglige- 
mela,  the  Nation  Bubeium  ;  the  Town  Vel,  the  Nation  Enipi ; 
the  Town  Thuben,  the  Mountain  named  Niger ;  the  Towns 
Nitibrum  and  Rapsa  ;  the  Nation  Discera,-the  Town  Debris ; 
the  River  Nathabur,  the  Town  Tapsagum,  the  Nation  Nan- 
nagi,  the  Town  Boin ;  the  Town  Pege,  the  River  Dasibari. 
Presently  these  Towns  lying  continuously,  Baracum,  Buluba, 
Alasi,  Balsa,  Galla,  Maxala,  and  Zizama.  The  Mountain 
Gyri,  wherein  Titus  hath  reported  that  precious  Stones 


56  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  V. 

were  produced.1  Hitherto  the  Way  to  the  Garamantes  was 
intricate,  by  reason  of  the  Robbers  of  that  Nation,  who  used 
to  dig  Pits  in  the  Way  (which  to  them  that  know  the  Places 
is  no  hard  matter  to  do)  and  then  cover  them  with  Sand. 
But  in  the  last  War  which  the  Romans  maintained  against  the 
Oeenses,  under  the  conduct  of  Vespasian  the  Emperor,  there 
was  found  a  short  Way  of  four  Days'  Journey  :  and  this  Way 
is  called  Prceter  caput  Saxi  [beside  the  Rock's  Head].  The 
Frontier  of  Cyrenaica  is  called  Catabathmos  ;  which  is  a  Town 
and  a  Valley  with  a  sudden  Descent.  To  this  Bound,  from 
the  Lesser  Syrtis,  Cyrenaica  Africa  lieth  in  Length  1060 
Miles,  and  in  Breadth,  for  so  much  as  is  known,  800. 

CHAPTER  VI. 

Libya  Mareotis. 

THE  Country  following  is  named  Mareotis  Libya,  bounded 
by  Egypt;  inhabited  by  the  Marmaridae,  Adyrmachidse,  and 
then  the  Mareotae.  The  Measure  from  Catabathmos  to  Pa- 
retonium  is  86  Miles.  In  that  Tract  there  lieth  in  the  way 
the  Village  Apis,  a  place  noble  for  the  Religion  of  Egypt. 
From  it  to  Paraetonium,  12  Miles.  From  thence  to  Alexan- 
dria, 200  Miles:  the  Breadth  is  169  Miles.  Eratosthenes 
hath  delivered,  That  from  Cyrenae  to  Alexandria  by  Land  the 
Journey  is  525  Miles.  Agrippa  saith,  that  the  Length  of  all 
Africa  from  the  Atlantic  Sea,  with  the  inferior  part  of  Egypt, 
containeth  3040  Miles.  Polybius  and  Eratosthenes,  reputed 
the  most  diligent,  have  set  down  from  the  Ocean  to  great 
Carthage  600  Miles  :  from  thence  to  Canopicum,  the  nearest 
Mouth  of  Nilus,  1630  Miles.  Isidorus  reckoneth  from  Tingi 
to  Canopus  3599  Miles ;  and  Artemidorus,  40  less  than 
Jsiodorus. 

1  Some  editions  read  Titus  prodidit,  while  others  have  titulus  prcecepit. 

In  the  triumph  of  Vespasian  and  Titus,  so  minutely  described  by 
Josephus  ("  Wars  of  the  Jews,"  book  vii.  cap.  5)  a  title  was  affixed  to 
the  several  images  carried  in  procession,  containing  the  names  of  the  con- 
quered nations  and  towns,  with  mention  of  their  chief  productions. — 
Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  57 

CHAPTER  VII. 
Islands  about  Africa,  and  over  against  Africa. 

THESE  Seas  do  not  contain  very  many  Islands.  The 
fairest  is  Meninx,  35  Miles  long  and  25  broad,  called  by 
Eratosthenes  Lotophagitis.  It  hath  two  Towns,  Meninx  on 
the  side  of  Africa,  and  Thoar  on  the  other:  itself  is  situated 
from  the  right-hand  Promontory  of  the  Lesser  Syrtis  200 
Paces.1  A  hundred  Miles  from  it  against  the  left  hand  is 
Cercina,  with  a  free  Town  of  the  same  Name,  in  Length  25 
Miles,  and  half  as  much  in  Breadth  where  it  is  most :  but 
toward  the  end  not  above  five  Miles.  To  it  there  lieth  a 
little  one  toward  Carthage  called  Cercinitis,  and  it  joineth 
by  a  Bridge.  From  these,  almost  50  Miles,  lieth  Lopadusa, 
six  Miles  long.  Then,  Gaulos  and  Galata,  the  Earth  of  which 
killeth  the  Scorpion,  a  dangerous  Creature  of  Africa.  They 
say  also  that  they  will  die  in  Clupea,  over  against  which 
lieth  Cosyra,  with  a  Town.  But  against  the  Bay  of  Car- 
thage are  the  two  jEginori,  more  truly  Rocks  than  Islands, 
lying  for  the  most  part  between  Sicily  and  Sardinia.  Some 
write  that  these  were  inhabited,  but  sunk  down. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
The  JEthiopes. 

BUT  within  the  inner  Compass  of  Africa,  toward  the 
South,  and  above  the  Gsetuli,  where  the  Deserts  come  be- 
tween, the  first  People  that  inhabit  are  the  Libii  ^Egyptii, 
and  then  the  Leucsethiopes.  Above  them  are  the  ^Ethiopian 
Nations :  the  Nigritse,  from  whom  the  River  was  named  :  the 
Gymnetes,  Pharusi,  and  those  which  now  reach  to  the  Ocean, 
whom  we  spake  of  in  the  border  of  Mauritania  :  the  Perorsi. 
From  all  these  are  vast  Solitudes  eastward,  to  the  Gara- 
mantes,  Augylae,  and  Troglodites,  according  to  the  truest 
opinion  of  them  who  place  two  .ZEthiopias  above  the  Deserts 
of  Africa :  and  especially  of  Homer,  who  saith,  that  the 
Ethiopians  are  divided  two  ways,  towards  the  East  and 

1  Or  1500  paces,  i.  e.  a  mile  and  a  half. 


58  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  V. 

West.  The  River  Niger  is  of  the  same  nature  as  Nilus ; 
producing  the  Reed  and  Papyrus,  and  the  same  living  Crea- 
tures, and  swelleth  at  the  same  Seasons.  It  springeth  be- 
tween the  Tareleia  jEthiopiae,  and  the  Oecalicae.  The  Town 
Mavin,  belonging  to  this  People,  some  have  set  upon  the 
deserts  :  near  them  the  Atlantse ;  the  -ZEgipanae,  half  beasts  ; 
the  Blemmyae,  the  Garnphasantae,  Satyri,  and  Himantopodae. 
Those  Atlantae,  if  we  will  believe  it,  degenerate  from  Human 
Manners:  for  neither  call  they  one  another  by  any  Name: 
and  they  look  upon  the  Sun,  rising  and  setting,  with  dread- 
ful curses,  as  being  pernicious  to  them  and  their  Fields : 
neither  Dream  they  in  their  Sleep,  as  other  Men.  The 
Troglodites  dig  Caverns,  and  these  serve  them  for  Houses : 
they  feed  upon  the  Flesh  of  Serpents ;  they  make  a  gnash- 
ing Noise,  not  a  Voice,  so  little  exchange  have  they  of  Speech. 
The  Garamantes  live  out  of  Marriage,  and  converse  with 
their  Women  in  common.  The  Augylae  only  worship  the 
Infernal  Gods.  The  Gamphasantes  are  naked,  and  know  no 
Wars,  and  associate  with  no  Foreigner.  The  Blemmyae,  by 
report,  have  no  Heads,  but  their  Mouth  and  Eyes  fixed  in 
their  Breast.  The  Satyri,  besides  their  Shape,  have  nothing 
of  Human  Manners.  The  jEgipanae  are  shaped  as  you  see 
them  commonly  painted.  The  Himantopodae  are  some  of 
them  wry-legged,  with  which  they  naturally  go  creeping. 
The  Pharusi,  formerly  Persae,  are  said  to  have  been  the 
Companions  of  Hercules,  as  he  went  to  the  Hesperides. 
More  of  Africa  worth  the  noting  does  not  occur.1 

CHAPTER  IX. 
Of  Asia. 

UNTO  it  joineth  Asia,  which  from  the  Mouth  of  Canopus 
unto  the  Mouth  of  Pontus,  according  to  Timosthenes,  is  2639 
Miles.  But  from  the  Coast  of  Pontus  to  that  of  Maeotis, 
Eratosthenes  saith  it  is  1545  Miles.  The  whole,  together  with 
Egypt  unto  Tanais,  according  to  Artemidorus  and  Isidorus, 
taketh  8800  Miles.  Many  Seas  there  are  in  it,  taking  their 

1  Notes  on  these  alleged  varieties  of  the  human  form  will  be  found 
b.  vii.  c.  2 ;  see  also  b.  vi.  c.  30.  —  Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  59 

Names  from  the  Borderers :  and  therefore  they  shall  be 
declared  together.  The  next  Country  to  Africa  that  is 
inhabited  is  Egypt,  receding  withinward  to  the  South,  so 
far  as  to  the  Ethiopians,  who  are  stretched  out  on  its  Back. 
The  Nilus  is  on  the  lower  part,  and  is  divided  on  the  Right 
and  Left ;  by  its  encircling  it  boundeth  it  with  the  Mouth 
of  Canopus  from  Africa,  and  with  the  Pelusiac  from  Asia, 
with  an  interval  of  170  Miles.  For  which  cause,  some  have 
reckoned  Egypt  among  the  Islands,  considering  that  Nilus 
doth  so  divide  itself  as  to  make  a  triangular  figure  of  the 
Land.  And  so,  many  have  called  Egypt  by  the  Name  of  the 
Greek  letter  Delta  (A).  The  Measure  of  it  from  the  Channel 
where  it  is  single,  from  whence  it  first  parteth  into  sides,  to 
the  Mouth  of  Canopus,  is  146  Miles  ;  and  to  the  Pelusiac  256. 
The  upmost  part  bounding  upon  ./Ethiopia,  is  called  Thebais. 
It  is  divided  into  Townships,  with  separate  Jurisdictions, 
which  they  call  Nomi  :  as  Ombites,  Phatunites,  Apol- 
lopolites,  Herrnonthites,  Thinites,  Phanturites,  Captites, 
Tentyrites,  Diospalites,  Antaeopolites,  Aphroditopolites,  and 
Lycopolites.  The  Country  about  Pelusium  hath  these  Nomi : 
Pharboetites,  Bubastites,  Sethroites,  and  Tanites.  But  the 
remainder,  the  Arabic,  the  Hammoniac  which  extendeth  to 
the  Oracle  of  Jupiter  Hammon,  Oxyrinchites,  Leontopolites, 
Atarrhabites,  Cynopolites,  Hermopolites,  Xoites,  Mendesius, 
Sebennites,  Capastites,  Latopolites,  Heliopolites,  Prosopites, 
Panopolites,  [Thermopolites,  Saithes?]  Busirites,  Onuphites, 
Sorites,  Ptenethu,  Pthemphu,  Naucratites,  Nitrites,  Gynse- 
copolites,  Menelaites,  in  the  Country  of  Alexandria.  In  like 
manner  of  Libya  Mareotis.  Heracleopolites  is  in  an  Island  of 
Nilus,  50  Miles  long,  wherein  also  is  the  place  they  call  the 
Town  of  Hercules.  There  are  two  Arsinoetes;  they  and 
Memphites  reach  as  far  as  to  the  Head  of  Delta.  Upon  it  there 
border,  out  of  Africa,  the  two  Ouasitae.  There  are  Writers 
that  change  some  of  these  Names,  and  substitute  other  Nomi: 
as  Heroopolites,  and  Crocodilopolites.  Between  Arsinoetes 
and  Memphites  there  was  a  Lake  250  Miles  in  Circuit ;  or, 
as  Mutianus  saith,  450,  and  50  Paces  deep  (i.  e.  150  Feet), 
made  by  Hand  ;  called  the  Lake  Moeridis,  from  a  King  who 


60  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  V. 

made  it:  72  Miles  from  thence  is  Memphis,  the  Castle  in 
old  time  of  the  Egyptian  Kings.  From  which  to  the 
Oracle  of  Hammon  is  12  Days'  Journey  ;  and  to  the  Division 
of  Nilus,  which  we  have  called  Delta,  15  Miles.  The  Nilus, 
rising  from  unknown  Springs,  passeth  through  Deserts  and 
burning  Countries:  and  going  a  vast  way  in  Length,  is 
known  by  Fame  only,  without  Arms,  without  Wars,  which 
have  discovered  all  other  Lands.  It  hath  its  beginning,  so 
far  as  King  Juba  was  able  to  search,  in  a  Mountain  of  the 
lower  Mauritania,  not  far  from  the  Ocean,  near  to  a  stag- 
nant Lake,  which  they  call  Nilides.  In  it  are  found  the 
Fishes  called  Alabetae,1  Coracini,  Siluri,  and  also  the  Cro- 
codile. Upon  this  argument  the  Nilus  is  thought  to  spring 
from  hence,  for  that  it  is  seen  dedicated  by  him  at  Caesarea, 
in  Iseum,  at  this  day.  Moreover,  it  is  observed,  that  as  the 
Snow  or  Rain  fills  the  Country  in  Mauritania,  so  the  Nilus 
increases.  When  it  is  run  out  of  this  Lake,  it  scorneth 
to  pass  through  the  sandy  and  unclean  Places,  and  hideth 
itself  for  some  Days'  Journey.  By  and  by  out  of  another 
greater  Lake  it  breaketh  forth  in  the  Country  of  the  Mas- 
saesyli,  of  Mauritania  Caesariensis  ;  and  as  if  it  looks  about  for 
the  Company  of  Men,  with  the  same  arguments  of  living 
Creatures,  again  becomes  received  within  the  Sands,  where 
it  is  hidden  a  second  time  for  20  Days'  Journey  in  the 
Deserts,  as  far  as  to  the  next  ^Ethiopas :  and  so  soon  as  it 
hath  again  espied  a  Man,  forth  it  leapeth  (as  it  should  seem) 
out  of  that  Spring,  which  they  called  Nigris.  And  then 
dividing  Africa  from  ^Ethiopia,  being  acquainted,  if  not  pre- 
sently with  people,  yet  with  the  frequent  company  of  wild  and 
savage  Beasts,  and  creating  the  shade  of  Woods,  it  cutteth 

1  The  first  named,  Alabes  or  Alabetae,  is  a  species  of  Lota  of  Cuvier, 
or  Burbot :  though,  perhaps  not  the  same  with  the  fish  of  that  name  that 
inhabits  the  fresh  waters  of  Europe.  The  name  Coracinus  has  been 
applied  to  more  than  one  fish  of  a  sooty  colour :  but  the  species  referred 
to  by  Pliny  is  probably  the  Perca  Nilotica  of  Linnaeus  :  the  Lates  Nilo- 
ticus  of  Cuvier.  The  Silurus  of  Pliny  is  perhaps  a  species  of  Cuvier's 
genus  Schilbe,  although  true  Siluri  are  found  in  the  Nile.  The  Croco- 
dile will  be  more  particularly  referred  to  in  another  place. —  Wern.  Club. 


BooKV.]  History  of  Nature.  61 

through  the  midst  of  the  ./Ethiopians :  there  surnamed 
Astapus,  which  in  the  Language  of  those  Nations  signifieth 
a  Water  flowing  out  of  Darkness.  Thus  dasheth  it  upon 
such  an  innumerable  Multitude  of  Islands,  and  some  of  them 
so  very  great,  that  although  it  bear  a  swift  Stream,  yet  is  it 
not  able  to  pass  beyond  them  in  less  space  than  five  Days. 
About  the  fairest  of  them,  Meroe,  the  Channel  going  on  the 
Left  is  called  Astabores,  which  is,  the  Branch  of  a  Water 
coming  forth  from  Darkness  :  but  that  on  the  Right  is 
Astusapes,  which  adds  the  signification  of  Lying  hid.  And 
it  never  taketh  the  Name  of  Nilus,  until  its  Waters  meet 
again  and  accord  together.  And  even  so  was  it  formerly 
named  Siris  for  many  Miles:  and  by  Homer  altogether 
^Egyptus :  by  others,  Triton :  here  and  there  hitting  upon 
Islands,  and  stirred  with  so  many  Provocations :  and  at  the 
last  enclosed  within  Mountains :  and  in  no  place  is  it  more  a 
Torrent,  while  the  Water  that  it  beareth  hasteneth  to  a 
Place  of  the  ^Ethiopii  called  Catadupi,  where  in  the  last 
Cataract  among  the  opposing  Rocks  it  is  supposed  not  to 
run,  but  to  rush  down  with  a  mighty  Noise.  But  afterwards 
it  becometh  gentle,  as  the  Stream  is  broken  and  the  violence 
subdued  and  partly  wearied  with  his  long  way:  and  so, 
though  with  many  Mouths,  it  dischargeth  itself  into  the 
Egyptian  Sea.  Nevertheless,  on  certain  Days  it  swelleth 
to  a  great  height :  and  when  it  hath  travelled  through  all 
Egypt,  it  overfloweth  the  Land,  to  its  great  Fertility.  Dif- 
ferent causes  of  this  Increase  have  been  given  :  but  those 
which  carry  the  most  probability  are  either  the  rebounding 
of  the  Water  driven  back  by  the  Etesian  Winds,  at  that  time 
blowing  against  it,  and  driving  the  Sea  upon  the  Mouths  of 
the  River:  or  the  Summer  Rain  in  ^Ethiopia,  by  reason 
that  the  same  Etesian  Winds  bring  Clouds  thither  from 
other  parts  of  the  -World.  Timaus  the  Mathematician 
alleged  an  hidden  reason  for  it,  which  is,  that  the  Foun- 
tain of  the  Nilus  is  named  Phiala,  and  the  River  itself  is 
hidden  within  Trenches  under  the  Ground,  breathing  forth 
in  a  Vapour  out  of  reeking  Rocks,  where  it  lieth  concealed. 
But  so  soon  as  the  Sun  during  those  Days  cometh  near,  it  is 


62  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  V. 

drawn  up  by  the  force  of  Heat,  and  while  it  hangeth  aloft  it 
overfloweth  :  and  then,  lest  it  should  be  devoured,  it  hideth 
again.  And  this  happeneth  from  the  rising  of  the  Dog 
through  the  Sun's  entrance  into  Leo,  while  the  Star  standeth 
perpendicularly  over  the  Fountain  :  when  in  that  Tract  there 
are  no  Shadows  to  be  seen.  Many  again  were  of  a  different 
Opinion  :  that  a  River  floweth  more  abundantly  when  the 
Sun  is  departed  toward  the  North  Pole,  which  happeneth  in 
Cancer  and  Leo,  and  therefore  at  that  time  it  is  not  so  easily 
dried :  but  when  it  is  returned  again  toward  Capricorn  and 
the  South  Pole,  it  is  drunk  up,  and  therefore  floweth  more 
sparily.  But  if,  according  to  Timceus,  it  would  be  thought 
possible  that  the  Water  should  be  drawn  up,  the  want  of 
Shadows  during  those  Days,  and  in  those  Places,  continueth 
still  without  end.  For  the  River  beginneth  to  increase  at 
the  New  Moon,  that  is  after  the  Solstice,  by  little  and  little 
gently,  so  long  as  the  Sun  passeth  through  Cancer,  but  most 
abundantly  when  he  is  in  Leo.  And  when  he  is  entered 
into  Virgo  it  falleth  in  the  same  measure  as  it  rose  before. 
And  it  is  altogether  brought  within  its  banks  in  Libra,  as 
Herodotus  thinketh,  by  the  hundredth  day.  While  it  riseth 
it  hath  been  thought  unlawful  for  Kings  or  Governors  to  sail 
upon  it.  Its  increasings  are  measured  by  Marks  in  certain 
Pits.  The  ordinary  Height  is  sixteen  Cubits.  The  Waters 
short  of  this  do  not  overflow  all ;  when  more  than  that  they 
are  a  hinderance,  by  reason  that  they  retire  more  slowly.  By 
these  the  Seed  Time  is  consumed,  by  the  Earth  being  too 
Wet;  by  the  other  there  is  none,  because  the  Ground  is 
Thirsty.  The  Province  taketh  reckoning  of  both.  For 
in  12  Cubits  it  findeth  Famine  :  at  13  it  feeleth  Hunger  ;  14 
Cubits  comfort  their  Hearts;  15  bring  Safety;  and  16 
Dainties.  The  greatest  Increase  that  ever  was  known  until 
these  Days  was  18  Cubits,  in  the  time  of  Prince  Claudius  : 
and  the  least,  in  the  Pharsalian  War :  as  if  the  River  by 
that  Prodigy  turned  away  with  horror  from  the  Slaughter  of 
that  great  Man.1  When  the  Waters  have  stood,  they  are 

1  Pompey  the  Great,  slain  by  treachery  in  Egypt. — Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  63 

admitted  by  opening  the  Flood-gates.  And  so  soon  as  any 
part  of  the  Land  is  freed  from  the  Water  it  is  sowed.  This 
is  the  only  River,  of  all  others,  that  breatheth  out  no  Air. 
The  Dominion  of  Egypt  beginneth  at  Syene,from  the  Frontier 
of  .^Ethiopia,  for  that  is  the  Name  of  a  Peninsula  a  hundred 
Miles  in  Compass,  wherein  are  the  Cerastae  upon  the  side  of 
Arabia :  and  over  against  it  the  four  Islands  Philse,  600 
Miles  from  the  Division  of  Nilus,  where  it  began  to  be  called 
Delta,  as  we  have  said.  This  space  of  Ground  hath  Arte- 
midorus  published  ;  and  that  within  it  were  250  Towns. 
Juba  setteth  down  400  Miles.  Aristocreon  saith,  That  from 
Elephantis  to  the  Sea  is  750  Miles.  The  Island  Elephantis 
is  Inhabited  beneath  the  lowest  Cataract  three  Miles,  and 
above  Syene  16  :  and  is  the  utmost  Point  that  the  Egyp- 
tians sail  unto.  It  is  586  Miles  from  Alexandria.  So  far 
the  Authors  above  written  have  erred  :  there  the  ^Ethiopian 
Ships  assemble ;  for  they  are  made  to  fold  up  together,  and 
are  carried  upon  Shoulders,  so  often  as  they  come  to  those 
Cataracts.  Egypt,  above  the  other  glory  of  Antiquity, 
pretends  that  in  the  Reign  of  King  Amasis  there  were  in- 
habited in  it  20,000  Cities.  And  even  at  this  Day  it  is  full 
of  them,  though  of  base  account.  Nevertheless,  that  of 
Apollo  is  renowned  ;  and  near  to  it  that  of  Leucothea,  and 
Diospolis1  the  Great,  the  same  as  Thebes,  noble  for  the 
Fame  of  its  Hundred  Gates.  Also,  Captos,  a  great  commer- 
cial Town  very  near  to  Nilus,  frequented  for  Merchandise  of 
India  and  Arabia.  Near  is  the  Town  of  Venus,  and  another 
of  Jupiter ;  and  Tentyris,  beneath  which  standeth  Abydus, 
the  royal  Seat  of  Memnon  ;  and  renowned  for  the  Temple  of 
Osiris,  seven  Miles  and  a  half  distant  from  the  River,  toward 
Lybia.  Then  Ptolemais,  Panopolis,  and  another  of  Venus. 
Also  in  the  Lybian  Coast,  Lycon,  where  Mountains  bound 
Thebais.  After  these,  the  Towns  of  Mercury,  Alabastron, 
Canum,  and  that  of  Hercules  spoken  of  before.  After  these, 
Arsinoe,  and  the  abovesaid  Memphis,  between  which  and 
the  Nomos  Arsinoetes,  in  the  Lybian  Coast,  are  the  Towns 
called  Pyramids ;  the  Labyrinth  built  up  out  of  the  Lake 
1  The  city  of  Jupiter. 


64  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  V. 

Moeris  without  any  Timber  to  it;  and  the  Town  Crialon. 
One  besides,  standing  within  and  bounding  upon  Arabia, 
called  the  Town  of  the  Sun  :  of  great  importance. 

CHAPTER  X. 
Alexandria.1 

BUT  justly  worthy  of  praise  is  Alexandria,  standing  upon 
the  Coast  of  the  Egyptian  Sea,  built  by  Alexander  the  Great 
on  the  Part  of  Africa,  12  Miles  from  the  Mouth  of  Canopus, 
near  to  the  Lake  Mareotis :  which  Lake  was  formerly  called 
Arapotes.2  Dinochares,  the  Architect,  renowned  for  his 
remarkable  Ability  in  many  ways,  laid  out  the  Plan  with 
the  great  Extent  of  the  Circuit  of  15  Miles,  according  to  the 
Shape  of  a  Macedonian  Cloak  ;  full  of  Plaits,  with  the  Circuit 
waved  on  to  the  right  Hand  and  on  the  left  with  an  angular 
Extension;  and  yet,  even  then,  he  assigned  one-fifth  Part  of 
this  Space  for  the  King's  Palace.  The  Lake  Mareotis3  from 
the  South  Side  of  the  City,  meeteth  with  an  Arm  of  the  River 
Nilus,  brought  from  out  of  the  Mouth  of  the  said  River 
called  Canopicus,  for  the  more  commodious  Commerce  out 
of  the  inland  Continent.  This  Lake  containeth  within  it 
sundry  Islands,  and,  according  to  Claudius  Ccesar,  it  is  30 

1  Alexandria  is  connected  with  much  that  is  interesting  in  the  estima- 
tion of  the  Christian  and  philosopher.     It  was  built  B.C.  331,  and  became 
the  capital  of  Egypt  under  the  Ptolemies ;  at  a  subsequent  period,  its 
library  was  the  most  renowned  in  the  world ;  its  school  rose  into  high 
repute  during  the  second  and  third  centuries ;  it  long  continued  a  flou- 
rishing bishopric  of  the  early  Christian  Church  (having  been  planted  by 
St.  Mark),  and  was  the  scene  of  many  Christian  persecutions  in  common 
with  the  rest  of  the  empire.     Of  the  ancient  city  little  remains,  the  only 
monuments  of  its  extent  and  grandeur  being,  as  Dr.  Robinson  relates, 
"  a  few  cisterns  still  in  use,  the  catacombs  on  the  shore,  the  granite  obelisk 
of  Thothmes  III.,  with  its  fallen  brother,  brought  hither  from  Heliopolis, 
and  usually  called  '  Cleopatra's  Needle ; '  and  the  column  of  Dioclesian, 
commonly  called  'Pompey's  Pillar.'" — Wern.  Club. 

2  Or,  Rachobes. 

3  (Various  reading.)  —  "The  Lake  Mareotis,  from  the  south  part  of 
the  city,  by  an  arm  of  the  sea,  is  sent  through  the  mouth  of  Canopus  for 
inland  traffic ;  it  also  embraces  many  islands,  and  is  30  miles  in  breadth, 
and  150  in  circuit,  as  Claudius  Ccesar  says."  —  Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  65 

Miles  over.  Others  say,  that  it  lieth  in  Length  40  Schceni ; 
and  as  every  Schoenus  is  30  Stadia,  it  cometh  to  be  150 
Miles  long,  and  as  many  broad.  There  are  many  Towns  of 
importance  standing  upon  the  Course  of  the  River  Nilus, 
and  those  especially  which  have  given  Names  to  the  Mouths, 
not  to  all  those  (for  there  are  11  of  them,  besides  4  more, 
which  they  themselves  call  false  Mouths),  but  to  the  most 
celebrated  7 :  as,  to  that  of  Canopus,  next  to  Alexandria ; 
then  Bolbitinum,  Sebenniticum,  Phatniticum,  Mendesicum, 
Taniticum,  and  last,  Pelusiacum  ;  besides,  Euros,  Pharbcetos, 
Leontopolis,  Athribis,  the  Town  of  Isis,  Busiris,  Cynopolis, 
Aphrodites,  Sa'is,  Naucratis,  whence  some  name  the  Mouth 
Naucraticum,  which  others  call  Heracleoticum,  preferring  it 
before  Canopicum,  next  to  which  it  standeth. 

CHAPTER  XI. 
Arabia. 

BEYOND  the  Pelusiac  Mouth  is  Arabia,  bordering  on  the 
Red  Sea :  and  that  Arabia,  so  rich  and  odoriferous,  and  re- 
nowned with  the  Surname  of  Happy.  This  Desert  Arabia  is 
possessed  by  the  Catabanes,  Esbonitae,  and  Scenite  Arabians  : 
barren,  except  where  it  toucheth  the  Confines  of  Syria,  and, 
setting  aside  the  Mountain  Casius,  nothing  memorable.  This 
Region  is  joined  to  the  Arabians,  Canchlei  on  the  East  Side, 
and  to  the  Cedraei  Southward ;  and  they  both  are  joined 
afterwards  with  the  Nabathaei.  Moreover,  two  Bays  there 
be,  one  Bay  is  called  that  of  Heroopoliticus,  and  the  other, 
Elaniticus  :  in  the  Red  Sea,  bordering  on  Egypt,  150  Miles 
distant,  between  two  Towns,  Elana  and  Gaza,  which  is  in  our 
[Mediterranean]  Sea.  Agrippa  counteth  from  Pelusium  to 
Arsinoe,  a  Town  upon  the  Red  Sea,  through  the  Deserts,  an 
hundred  and  five-and-twenty  Miles.  So  small  a  Way  lieth 
between  things  of  such  Difference  in  Nature. 

CHAPTER  XII. 
Syria,  Palcestina,  Pkcenicfi. 

NEAR  the  Coast  is  Syria,  a  Region  which  in  Times  past 
was  the  chiefest  of  Lands,  and  distinguished  by  many  Names. 


66  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  V. 

For  where  it  toucheth  upon  the  Arabians,  it  was  called  Palses- 
tina,1  Judaea,  Coele  (Syria) ;  and  afterward,  Phoenice  :  and 
where  it  passes  inward,  Damascena.  Still  further  south- 
wards, it  is  named  Babylonia.  And  the  same  between  the 
Rivers  Euphrates  and  Tigris  is  called  Mesopotamia,  and 
when  it  passeth  the  Mountain  Taurus,  it  is  Sophene :  but  on 
this  Side  Comagene,  and  beyond  Armenia,  is  Adiabene, 
formerly  named  Assyria  ;  and  where  it  meets  Cilicia,  it  is 
known  by  the  Name  of  Antiochia.  The  whole  Length  of 
Syria  between  Cilicia  and  Arabia  is  470  Miles  :  the  Breadth 
from  Seleucia  Pieria  to  Zeugma,  a  Town  seated  upon  the 
Euphrates,  is  175  Miles.  They  that  minutely  divide  it 
would  have  Phcenice"  to  be  environed  with  Syria ;  and  that 
it  is  the  Sea-coast  of  Syria,  a  Part  of  which  compriseth 
Idumaea  and  Judaea :  then  Phoenice,  and  then  Syria.  And 
that  Sea  which  lieth  along  that  Coast  beareth  the  Name  of 
the  Phoenician  Sea.  This  Nation  of  the  Phoenicians  hath 
had  great  Glory  for  the  Invention  of  Letters,  and  for  the  Arts 
of  the  Stars,  Navigation,  and  Skill  in  War.  Beyond  Pelu- 
sium  is  Chabriae  Castra,  the  Mountain  Casius,  the  Temple  of 
Jupiter  Casius,  the  Tomb  of  Pompeius  Magnus;  and  Ostra- 
cine.  From  Pelusium  to  the  Frontiers  of  Arabia  are  65 
Miles. 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
Idumceaf  Syria,  Palcestina,  Samaria. 

SOON  after  beginneth  Idumaea  and  Palestina,  from  the 
Rising  up  of  the  Lake  Sirbon,  which  some  have  reported  to 

1  The  following  division  of  Palestine  under  the  Romans  will  throw 
light  upon  the  comments  which  follow  : — 

Palestina  Prima,      Kingdom  of  Judah  ( Judam)  and  Samaria. 
Palestina  Secunda,  Galilee  and  Trachonitis. 
Palestina  Tertia,      Peraea  and  Idumasa  Proper. 

Wern.  Club. 

2  Idumaea  comprised  the  country  in  the  southern  extremity  of  Judaea, 
and  embraced  also  apart  of  Arabia,  which,  from  having  beeu  left  nearly 
depopulated  during  the  Babylonian  captivity,  was  seized  upon  by  the 
Idumaeans,  and  continued  to  be  called  Idumaea  in  common  with  Idumaea 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  67 

possess  a  circuit  of  150  Miles.  Herodotus  saith  it  lies  close 
by  the  Mountain  Casius  ;  but  now  it  is  a  small  Lake.  The 
Towns  are  Rhinocolura ;  and  within  the  Land,  Raphaaa  :  also 
Gaza,  and  within,  Anthedon,  and  the  Mountain  Angoris. 
Samaria,  the  Region  through  the  Coast ;  the  free  Town 
"Ascalon,  and  Azotus  :  the  two  Jamnes,  whereof  one  is  within 
the  Land  ;  and  Joppe,  in  Phoenicia,  which,  by  report,  is 
more  ancient  than  the  Deluge  over  the  Earth.1  It  is  situated 
upon  a  Hill,  with  a  Rock  before  it,  in  which  they  shew  the 
Remains  of  the  Chains  of  Andromeda.  There  the  fabulous 
Derceto  is  worshipped.  Then  is  Apollonia  ;  the  Town  of 
Strato,  called  also  Caesarea,  founded  by  King  Herod:  itbeareth 
now  the  Name  of  Prima  Flavia,  a  Colony  derived  from  Ves- 
pasian the  Emperor.  The  Bounds  of  Palsestinaare  180  Miles 
from  the  Confines  of  Arabia :  and  there  entereth  Phcenice. 
But  within-land  are  the  Towns  of  Samaria,  and  Neapolis, 
which  formerly  was  named  Mamortha  [or  Maxbota],  Also 
Sebaste  upon  the  Mountain,  and  Gamala,  which  yet  standeth 
higher  than  it. 

Proper,  to  a  later  period  than  the  date  of  our  author.  The  bounds  of 
Palestine,  in  the  time  of  the  Romans,  embraced  Judaea,  Samaria,  Galilee, 
and  Trachonitis  ;  and  Peraaa  and  Idumaea. —  Wern.  Club. 

'  Mandeville,  who  travelled  through  these  countries  about  the  year 
1323,  and  collected  all  the  information  that  fell  in  his  way,  without  discri- 
mination, says :  "  And  whoso  wil  go  longe  tyme  on  the  See,  and  come 
nerrer  to  Jerusalem,  he  schal  go  fro  Cipre,  be  see,  to  the  Port  Jaff.  For 
that  is  the  nexte  Havene  to  Jerusalem.  For  fro  that  Havene  is  not  but 
o  Day  Journeye  and  an  half  to  Jerusalem.  And  the  Town  is  called  Jaff : 
for  on  of  the  Sones  of  Noe,  that  highte  Japhet,  founded  it ;  and  now  it  is 
clept  Joppe.  And  zee  schulle  undrestonde,  that  it  is  on  of  the  oldest 
Townes  of  the  World :  for  it  was  founded  before  Noes  Flode.  And  zitt 
there  schewethe  in  the  Eoche  ther,  as  the  Irene  cheynes  were  festned, 
that  Andromade,  a  great  Geaunt,  was  bounden  with,  and  put  in  Presoun 
before  Noes  Flode :  of  the  whiche  Geaunt,  is  a  rib  of  his  Syde,  that  his  40 
Fote  longe."  In  the  Ethiopics  of  Heliodorus,  book  x.,  the  Ethiopic  kings 
are  said  to  derive  their  pedigree  from  Perseus  and  Andromeda ;  whose 
history  is  by  Pliny  treated  as  something  more  than  a  fable.  But  the 
mistake  of  Mandeville,  in  confounding  Andromeda  with  the  monster 
that  was  to  have  devoured  her,  is  perfectly  consistent  with  other  errors 
in  regard  to  the  Scriptures  and  classical  learning,  which  occur  in  his 
narrative.  —  Wern.  Club. 


68  History  of  Nature.  [BooKV. 

CHAPTER  XIV.1 
Judcea  and  Galilcea. 

ABOVE  Idumsea  and  Samaria,  Judaea  spreadeth  out  far  in 
Length  and  Breadth.  That  part  of  it  which  joineth  to  Syria, 
is  called  Galilaea :  but  that  which  is  next  to  Syria  and  Egypt 
is  named  Peraea  [i.  e.  beyond  Jordan]  :  full  of  rough  Moun- 
tains dispersed  here  and  there :  and  separated  from  the  other 
Parts  of  Judaea  by  the  River  Jordan.  The  rest  of  Judaea  is 
divided  into  ten  Toparchies,  which  we  will  speak  of  in  order: 
of  Hiericho,  planted  with  Date-trees  ;  Emmaus,  well  watered 
with  Fountains ;  Lydda,  Joppica,  Accrabatena,  Gophnitica, 
Tharnnitica,  Betholene,  Tephene,  and  Orine,  wherein  stood 
Hierosolyma,  by  far  the  most  illustrious  of  the  Cities  of  the 
East,  and  not  of  Judaea  only.  In  it  also  is  the  Toparchy 
Herodium,  with  a  famous  Town  of  the  same  Name. 

CHAPTER  XV. 
The  River  Jordan.3 

THE  River  Jordanis  springeth  from  the  Fountain  Pane- 
ades,  which  gave  the  Surname  to  Caesarea,  whereof  we  will 

1  This  chapter  should  properly  have  been  embodied  with  the  pre- 
ceding, which  treats  of  Palestine,  that  name  having  been  applied  by  the 
Greeks  to  the  whole  country  on  account  of  the  number  of  the  Philistines 
always  within  its  bounds,  both  before  and  after  the  final  conquest  of  that 
people  by  David  and  Solomon.  "  Judaea,"  in  its  real  signification,  implies 
the  whole  of  the  country  inhabited  by  the  Jews,  in  fact,  the  whole  "  Land 
of  Promise,"  from  Dan  to  Beersheba  in  length,  and  including  the  region 
allotted  to  the  two  tribes  and  a  half  on  the  other  side  Jordan ;  the  term 
was  originally  synonymous  with  "  the  land  of  Judah,"  but  on  the  separa- 
tion of  the  ten  tribes,  the  latter  term  was  applied  to  the  territories  of 
Judah  and  Benjamin,  then  formed  into  a  separate  kingdom,  and  hence 
"  Judaea  "  also  came  to  be  applied  to  that  district  in  particular.  Pliny  is 
also  in  error  in  speaking  of  Judaea  as  "  spreading  out  far  in  length  above 
Idumaea  and  Samaria"  inasmuch  as  Samaria  occupies  the  central  portion 
of  Judaea  itself,  and  there  is,  therefore,  an  evident  contradiction  in  the 
description.—  Wern.  Club. 

8  This  river  rises  at  Caesarea  Philippi ;  its  length  is  100  miles  or  there- 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  69 

speak.  It  is  a  pleasant  River,  and  so  far  as  the  Situation  of 
the  Country  will  permit,  spacious,  offering  itself  to  the 
neighbouring  Inhabitants ;  and  reluctantly,  as  it  were,  it 
passeth  to  the  Lake  Asphaltites,  cursed  by  Nature  :  by  which 
it  is  swallowed  up  ;  it  loseth  its  own  esteemed  Waters,  by 
their  becoming  mixed  with  those  of  the  Pestilential  Lake. 
And  therefore  upon  the  first  opportunity  of  any  Valleys,  it 
poureth  itself  into  a  Lake,  which  many  call  Genesara,  which 
is  16  Miles  Long  and  6  Broad.  This  is  environed  with 
beautiful  Towns :  on  the  East  side  with  Julias  and  Hippo ; 
on  the  South  with  Tarichea,  by  which  Name  the  Lake  is  by 
some  called ;  and  on  the  West  with  Tiberias,  an  healthful 
Place  on  account  of  the  Hot  Waters. 

CHAPTER  XVI. 
Asphaltites. 

ASPHALTITES1  produceth  nothing  besides  Bitumen  ;  from 
whence  the  name.  No  Body  of  any  Creature  doth  it  receive  : 
Bulls  and  Camels  float  upon  it.  And  hence  ariseth  the 

abouts,  and  its  embouchure  is  into  the  Dead  Sea ;  its  inner  banks,  to  within 
a  few  miles  of  this  place,  are  covered  with  willows,  oleanders,  reeds,  &c.  &c. 
whilst  its  periodical  overflowings  have  formed  a  wider  channel,  defined  by 
a  second  or  outer  bank  on  either  side. —  Wern.  Club. 

1  Asphaltites,  in  other  words  the  bituminous  lake,  from  the  abund- 
ance of  asphalt  (bitumen)  which  occurs  in  it.  Dr.  Shaw  estimated  its 
length  at  72  English  miles,  and  its  breadth  19  miles.  Dr.  Robinson, 
however,  estimates  its  length  at  only  50,  and  its  average  breadth  10  or  12 
miles.  The  constituents  of  the  water  of  the  Dead  Sea  are  as  follows  :— 

Muriate  of  lime      3-920  grains. 

Muriate  of  magnesia     10-246     " 

Muriate  of  soda      19-360     " 

Sulphate  of  lime   0-054     " 

34-580  grains  in  each  100. 

Several  analyses  have  been  made  by  Marat,  Gay-Lussac,  Gmelin,  &c., 
with  nearly  the  same  result.  The  origin  of  this  lake  accounts  for  the 
above  facts,  and  the  phenomena  by  which  it  is  surrounded  equally  evi- 
dence its  truth — sterility  in  land,  water,  and  air,  are  its  saddening  cha- 
racters. It  is  reputed  to  be  very  shallow,  which  seems  to  be  a  mistake. 
It  also  bore  the  name  of  the  "  Sea  of  the  Plain."  The  history  of  this 
lake  is  best  seen  in  the  Bible.—  Wern.  Club. 


70  Hist&ry  of  Nature.  [BooK  V. 

Report  that  nothing  will  sink  in  it.  This  Lake  in  Length 
exceedeth  100  Miles,  in  Breadth  25  Miles  where  broadest, 
and  6  where  narrowest.  On  the  East,  Arabia  of  the 
Nomades  confronteth  it ;  and  on  the  South,  Machserus,  in 
Time  past  the  second  Fortress  of  Judsea,  next  to  Hierosolyma. 
On  the  same  side  is  a  Fountain  of  Hot  Waters,  useful  in 
Medicine,  named  Callirhoe ;  a  Name  that  expresseth  the 
Glory  of  the  Waters. 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
The  Race  of  t fie  Esseni. 

ALONG  the  West  Coast  retire  the  Esseni  :l  a  Nation  living 
alone,  and  beyond  all  others  throughout  the  World  wonder- 
ful :  without  any  Women,  casting  off  the  whole  of  Venus  : 
without  Money:  keeping  company  only  with  Date-trees. 
Yet  the  Country  is  ever  well  peopled,  because  daily  numbers 
of  Strangers  resort  thither  from  other  Parts :  and  such  as 
are  weary  of  Life  are  by  the  Waves  of  Fortune  driven  thither 
to  their  manner  of  Living.  Thus  for  thousands  of  Ages 
(beyond  belief  to  say),  the  Race  is  eternal  in  which  no  one  is 
Born  :  so  prolific  to  them  is  the  Repentance  of  Life  of  other 
Men.  Beneath  them  stood  the  Town  Engadda,  for  Fertility 
(of  Soil)  and  Groves  of  Date-trees  the  next  City  to  Hiero- 
solyma, now  a  Place  for  the  Dead.  Beyond  it  is  Massada, 
a  Castle  upon  a  Rock,  and  not  far  from  Asphaltites.  And 
thus  much  concerning  Judaea. 

1  The  Essenes  were  a  Jewish  sect,  divided  into  two  classes.  First,  the 
practical,  who  lived  in  society,  and  applied  themselves  to  husbandry  and 
other  harmless  occupations ;  and  second,  the  contemplative,  who  were  also 
called  fherapeutoE,  or  physicians,  from  their  application  principally  to  the 
cure  of  the  diseases  of  the  soul ;  these  last  devoted  themselves  wholly  to 
meditation,  and  avoided  living  in  great  towns,  as  unfavourable  to  a  con- 
templative life.  Both  classes  were  exceedingly  abstemious,  and  highly 
exemplary  in  their  moral  deportment.  Although  our  Saviour  censured 
all  the  other  sects  of  the  Jews  for  their  vices,  yet  He  never  spoke  of  the 
Essenes ;  neither  are  they  mentioned  by  name  in  any  part  of  the  New 
Testament.  Pliny's  object  in  the  account  he  has  thought  fit  to  give  of 
them  appears  to  have  been  to  say  something  that  might  excite  wonder 
and  ridicule. —  Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  71 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 
Decapolis. 

THERE  is  joined  to  it  on  the  side  of  Syria  the  Region 
Decapolis,1  so  called  from  the  number  of  Towns  ;  in  which 
all  Men  observe  not  the  same.  Nevertheless  most  Men 
speak  of  Damascus  and  Opotos,  watered  by  the  River  Chry- 
sorrhoa,  and  also  of  the  fruitful  Philadelphia  and  Raphana, 
all  lying  within  Arabia.  Moreover,  of  Scythopolis,  so  named 
from  the  Scythians  there  planted :  and  formerly  Mysa,  so 
named  of  Father  Liber,  because  his  Nurse  was  buried  there. 
Gadara,  with  the  River  Hieromiax  running  before  it,  and 
the  before-named  Hippos  Dios.  Pella,  enriched  with 
Waters,  Galaza  and  Canatha.  The  Tetrarchies  lie  between 
and  about  these  Cities ;  every  one  resembling  a  Region :  and 
they  are  reduced  into  several  Kingdoms:  Trachonitis,  Panias, 
wherein  standeth  Ceesarea,  with  the  Fountain  abovesaid ; 
Abila,  Area,  Ampeloessa,  and  Gabe. 

CHAPTER  XIX. 
Tyrusz  and  Sidon. 

WE  must  return  to  the  Sea-coast  of  Phcenice,  where  a 
River  runneth  called  Crocodilon,  on  which  stood  a  Town 
bearing  the  same  Name.  Also  there  are  the  Memorials  of 
the  Cities,  Dorum,  Sycaminon,  the  Promontory  Carmelum  ; 
and  a  Town  on  the  Mountain  so  named,  but  in  old  Time 
called  Ecbatana.  Near  this  is  Getta  and  Jebba :  the  River 
Pagida  or  Belus,  mixing  on  its  little  Shore  the  Sands  fertile 
in  Glass.  This  River  floweth  out  of  the  stagnant  pond  Ceu- 
devia,  from  the  foot  of  Carmel.  Near  it  is  the  City  Ptole- 

1  Josephus  mentions  the  following  cities  as  contained  within  this 
region : — Pella,  Gerasa,  Gadara,  Hippos  Dios,  Damascus,  Philadelphia, 
Otopos,  Raphana,  and  Scythopolis. —  Wern.  Club. 

2  There  were  two  cities  of  this  name ;  one  on  the  Syrian  coast  of  the 
Continent  (vide  Bishop  Newton),  and  the  other  on  an  adjacent  island, 
which,  in  our  author,  are  both  spoken  of  together.    Tyre  has  been  called 
the  daughter  of  Sidon,  because  "  The  merchants  of  Sidon  replenished 
it."— (Isaiah,  xxiii.  2.)—  Wern.  Club. 


72  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  V. 

mais,  a  Colony  of  Claudius  Ccesar,  formerly  called  Ace. 
The  Town  Ecdippa  ;  the  Promontory  Album  ;  Tyrus,  in  old 
Time  an  Island,  lying  almost  three  quarters  of  a  Mile  within 
the  Deep  Sea :  but  now,  by  the  Besieging  Works  of  Alexander, 
joined  to  the  firm  Land :  renowned  for  having  produced 
Cities  of  ancient  Name,  Leptis,  Utica,  and  that  Carthage, 
the  Rival  of  the  Empire  of  Rome  for  the  Dominion  of  the 
whole  World  :  yea  and  Gades,  founded  beyond  the  Bounds 
of  the  Earth.  But  now  all  the  Glory  thereof  standeth  upon 
the  (Shell-fishes)  Chylium  and  Purpura.1  The  Circumference 
of  it  is  19  Miles,  comprised  within  Palaetyrus.  The  Town 
itself  taketh  up  22  Stadia.  Near  it  are  the  Towns  Lynhydra, 
Sarepta,  arid  Ornithon  :  also  Sidon,  where  Glass  is  made, 
and  which  is  the  Parent  of  Thebes  in  Boeotia. 

CHAPTER  XX. 
The  Mountain  Libanus. 

BEHIND  it  beginneth  Mount  Libanus,2  and  for  1500 
Stadia  it  reacheth  as  far  as  to  Smyrna,  where  it  is  named 
Coele-Syria.  Another  Mountain  equal  to  it,  and  lying  oppo- 
site to  it,  is  called  Antilibanus;  with  a  Valley  lying  between, 
which  in  old  Time  was  joined  (to  the  other  Libanus)  by  a 
Wall.  Being  past  this,  there  is  the  Region  Decapolis  ;  and 
the  above-named  Tetrarchies  with  it,  and  the  whole  expanse 
of  Palestina.  But  in  that  Coast  still  along  the  Foot  of 
Libanus,  is  the  River  Magoras,  and  the  Colony  Berytus, 
called  also  Frelix  Julia.  The  Town  Leontos ;  the  River 
Lycos  ;  Palaebyblos ;  the  River  Adonis  ;  the  Towns  Byblos, 
Botrys,  Gigarta,  Trieris,  Calamos  ;  and  Tripolis,  subject  to 
the  Tyrians,  Sidonians,  and  Aradians.  Orthosia  and  the 
River  Eleutheros.  The  Towns  Simyra,  Marathos ;  and  over 
against  Aradus,  Antaradus,  a  Town  of  seven  Stadia  ;  and  an 

1  See  b.  ix.  c.  36,  &c. 

3  Libanus  (Lebanon)  is  a  chain  of  limestone  mountains ;  the  cedars 
for  which  they  were  formerly  famed  still  grow  there,  though  in  reduced 
numbers,  forming  a  small  grove,  in  a  small  hollow  at  the  foot  of  the  highest 
peak.  Anti-  Libanus  is  the  more  lofty  ridge  of  the  two. —  Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  73 

Island  less  than  a  quarter  of  a  Mile  from  the  Continent. 
The  Country  where  the  said  Mountains  end,  and  in  the  Plains 
lying  between,  beginneth  Mount  Bargylis :  and  thence 
Phoenice  endeth,  and  Syria  beginneth  again.  The  Towns 
Carne,  Balanea,  Paltos,  Gabale,  the  Promontory  wherein  is 
the  Free  (City)  Laodicea,  with  Diospolis,  Heraclea,  Cha- 
radrus,  Posidium. 

CHAPTER  XXI. 
Syria  Antiochena. 

THENCEFORWARD  is  the  Promontory  of  Syria  Antiochena ; 
within  is  the  Free  City  itself,  Antiochena,  surnamed  Epi- 
daphne ;  through  the  midst  runneth  the  River  Orontes. 
But  in  the  Promontory  is  the  Free  (City)  Seleucia,  named 
also  Pieria. 

CHAPTER  XXII. 
The  Mountain  Casius. 

ABOVE  (the  City)  Seleucia,  there  is  another  Mountain 
named  Casius,  as  well  as  the  other.  This  is  of  that  Height, 
that  if  a  Man  be  upon  the  Top  of  it  in  the  Night,  at  the 
Fourth  Watch,  he  may  behold  the  Sun  rising.  So  that 
with  a  little  turning  of  his  Body,  he  may  at  one  Time  see 
both  Day  and  Night.  The  Passage  round  to  the  Top  is  19 
Miles ;  but  directly  up,  it  is  only  Four  Miles.  In  the  Bor- 
ders runneth  the  River  Orontes,  which  riseth  between  Li- 
banus  and  Antilibanus,  near  to  Heliopolis.  Then,  the  Town 
Rhosos :  and  behind,  the  Passages  between  the  Mountains 
Rhosii  and  Taurus,  which  are  called  Portae  Syrise.  In  the 
Coast,  the  Town  Myriandros,  the  Mountain  Amanus, 
where  is  the  Town  Bomitae.  This  separateth  Cilicia  from 
the  Syrians. 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 

Cale-Syria.1 

Now,  to  speak  of  the  Midland  parts.  C«le  hath  Apa- 
mia,  separated  from  the  Nazerines'  Tetrarchy  by  the  River 

1  Ccelo- Syria  (or  Lower  Syria)  signifying  "Syria  in  the  Hollow." 
It  may  be  considered,  says  Strabo,  "  either  in  a  proper  and  restrained 


74  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  V. 

Marsia:  Bambyce,  otherwise  called  Hierapolis;  but  of  the 
Syrians,  Magog.  There  is  worshipped  the  monstrous  Idol 
Atargatis,1  called  by  the  Greeks  Derceto.  Also  Chalcis, 
surnamed  Upon  Belus  :  from  which,  the  Region  Chalcidene, 
the  most  fertile  of  all  Syria,  taketh  its  Name.  Then  the 
Region  Cyrrhistica,  Cirrhus,  Gazatse,  Gindareni,  and  Ga- 
beni.  Two  Tetrarchies,  called  Granucomatae.  The  Hemi- 
seni,  Hylatae,  the  Nation  of  the  Iturse,  and  those  of  them 

sense,  as  comprehending  only  the  tract  of  land  between  Libanus  and  Anti- 
Libanus  ;  or  in  a  larger  signification,  and  then  it  will  comprehend  all  the 
country  in  obedience  to  the  king  of  Syria,  from  Seleucia  or  Arabia  and 
Egypt.— Wern.  Club. 

1  The  Syrian  idol  Atargatis  is  the  same  as  the  Astarte  or  Ashtaroth, 
so  often  mentioned  in  Holy  Scripture ;  it  is  also  the  Derceto  of  the 
Greeks,  who  represent  her  to  be  the  daughter  of  Venus,  or,  as  some  say, 
Venus  herself.  The  upper  half  of  this  monster  had  the  form  of  a  woman, 
while  the  lower  was  that  of  a  fish.  Atargatis  is  fabled  to  have  thrown 
herself  into  a  lake  near  Ascalon  in  Syria,  through  vexation  at  the  loss  of 
her  chastity,  after  having  given  birth  to  a  daughter  named  Semiramis. 
From  this  circumstance  the  Syrians  abstained  from  eating  the  fish  of  that 
lake,  deified  Atargatis,  and  built  a  temple  to  her  memory  on  the  borders 
of  the  lake.  Her  daughter,  Semiramis,  was  left  exposed  in  a  desert ;  but 
her  life  was  preserved  by  doves  for  one  whole  year,  till  a  shepherd  of 
Ninus  found  her  and  brought  her  up  as  his  own  child.  She  afterwards 
married  Menones,  the  governor  of  Nineveh,  and  at  length  became  the 
celebrated  Queen  of  Assyria.  After  her  death  she  was  changed  into  a 
dove,  and  received  immortal  honours  in  Assyria.  Ovid  alludes  to  both 
mother  and  daughter  in  the  commencement  of  his  4th  Book  of  the 
Metamorphoses. 

"  But  she  awhile  profoundly  seemed  to  muse, 

Perplex'd  amid  variety  to  choose  ; 

And  knew  not  whether  she  should  first  relate 

The  poor  Dercetis,  and  her  wondrous  fate ; 

(The  Palestines  believe  it  to  a  man, 

And  shew  the  lake  in  which  her  scales  began :) 

Or,  if  she  rather  should  the  daughter  sing, 

Who  in  the  hoary  verge  of  life  took  wing, 

Who  soar'd  from  earth,  and  dwelt  in  towers  on  high, 

And  now  a  dove,  she  flits  along  the  sky." 

EUSDEN'S  Translation. 

It  may  be  doubted  whether  she  is  not  identical  with  Dagon,  the  first 
goddess  of  the  Phoenicians.—  Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  75 

who  are  named  Betarrani,  and  the  Mariammitani.  The 
Tetrarchy  named  Mammisea :  Paradisus,  Pagrse,  Pinaritse, 
and  two  Seleucise,  besides  the  abovenamed ;  one  called  Upon 
Euphrates,  and  the  other,  Upon  Belus :  the  Carditenses. 
The  rest  of  Syria  hath  besides  these  which  shall  be  spoken 
of  with  the  Euphrates,  the  Arethusi,  Beraeenses,  and  Epi- 
phanenses.  Eastward,  the  Laodiceni,  which  are  entituled, 
Upon  Libanus :  the  Leucadii,  and  Larisssei :  besides  1 7 
Tetrarchies  reduced  into  Kingdoms  under  Barbaric  Names. 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 
Euphrates.1 

THIS  is  the  fittest  Place  to  speak  of  the  Euphrates.  Its 
Source,  by  the  Report  of  them  who  have  seen  it  most  closely, 
is  in  Caranitis,  a  Province  of  Armenia  the  Greater.  These 
are  Domitius  Corbulo,  who  says,  that  it  riseth  in  the  Moun- 
tain Aba;  and  Licinius  Mutianus,  who  affirmeth,  that  it 
issueth  from  the  Foot  of  the  Mountain  which  they  call 
Capotes,  12  Miles  higher  than  Simyra :  and  that  in  the 
beginning  it  was  called  Pyxirates.  It  runneth  first  to  Der- 
xene,  and  then  to  Ana  also,  shutting  out  the  Regions  of  Ar- 
menia from  Cappadocia.  The  Dastusse  from  Simyra  is  75 
Miles.  From  thence  it  is  navigable  to  Pastona,  Fifty  Miles  : 
from  it  to  Melitene  in  Cappadocia,  74  Miles.  To  Elegia  in 
Armenia,  Ten  Miles:  where  it  receiveth  the  Rivers,  Lycus, 
Arsania,  and  Arsanus.  Near  Elegia  it  meeteth  the  Moun- 

1  Euphrates  rises  in  Armenia,  near  Mount  Aba,  and  after  flowing  by 
Syria,  Mesopotamia,  and  the  site  of  Babylon,  empties  itself  into  the  Per- 
sian Gulf.  It  overflows  its  banks  at  certain  seasons,  and  in  consequence 
its  banks  are  very  fertile. 

The  Euphrates  is  universally  allowed  to  take  its  rise  in  Armenia 
Major ;  but  in  what  particular  spot,  or  in  what  direction  it  afterwards 
shapes  its  course,  is  still  a  matter  of  the  greatest  disagreement.  Pliny's 
account  entirely  differs  from  those  of  Strabo  and  Mela.  The  best  com- 
pendium of  the  discoveries  of  modern  geographers  and  travellers  on 
this  subject  will  be  found  in  the  Penny  Cyclopaedia  articles  "  Asia"  and 
"Euphrates."  See  also  Macdonnald  Kinneir's  large  map. —  Wern.  Club. 


76  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  V. 

tain  Taurus  :  yet  stayetb  it  not,  but  prevaileth,  although  it 
be  in  Breadth  Twelve  Miles.  Where  it  breaketh  through 
they  call  it  Omiras  :  and  so  soon  as  it  hath  cut  through  it  is 
named  Euphrates :  full  of  Rocks  and  very  violent.  There 
it  separateth  Arabia  on  the  Left  Hand,  called  the  Region  of 
the  Meri,  by  the  Measure  of  Three  Schoenae,  and  on  the 
Right,  Comagene.  Nevertheless,  even  there  where  it  con- 
quereth  Taurus,  it  suffers  a  Bridge.  At  Claudiopolis  in  Cap- 
padocia,  it  taketh  its  Course  westward.  And  here  the 
Taurus,  although  resisted  at  first,  hindereth  him  of  his  Course: 
and  notwithstanding  it  was  overcome  and  dismembered,  it 
conquereth  in  another  way,  and  drives  it  thus  broken  into 
the  South.  Thus  Nature  matcheth  these  Forces:  The  one 
proceeding  whither  it  chooseth,  and  the  other  not  suffering 
it  to  run  which  way  it  will.  From  the  Cataracts  it  is  Navi- 
gable, and  Forty  Miles  from  that  place  standeth  Samosata, 
the  Head  of  all  Comagene\  Arabia  aforesaid  hath  the  Towns 
Edessa,  sometime  called  Antiochea ;  Callirrhoe,  taking  its 
Name  from  the  Fountain ;  and  Carrae,  famous  for  the 
slaughter  of  Crassus.  Here  joineth  the  Prefecture  of  Meso- 
potamia, which  taketh  its  beginning  from  the  Assyrians,  in 
which  stand  the  Towns  Anthemusa  and  Nicephorium.  Pre- 
sently the  Arabians,  called  Rhetavi,  whose  Capital  is  Sin- 
gara.  But  from  Samosatae,  on  the  side  of  Syria,  the  River 
Marsyas  runneth  into  Euphrates.  Gingla  limiteth  Coma- 
gene,  and  the  City  of  the  Meri  beginneth  it.  The  Towns 
Epiphania  and  Antiochia  have  the  River  running  close  to 
them,  and  they  are  called  Euphrates.  Zeugma  likewise, 
72  Miles  from  Samosatae,  is  ennobled  by  the  Passage  over 
Euphrates :  for  it  is  joined  to  Apamia,  over  against  it,  by  a 
Bridge,  built  by  Seleucus  the  Founder  of  both.  The  People 
that  join  to  Mesopotamia  are  called  Rhoali.  But  the  Towns 
of  Syria  are  Europum ;  Thapsacum,  formerly,  now  Amphi- 
polis ;  Arabian  Scaenitae.  Thus  it  passeth  as  far  as  to  the 
Place  Ura,  in  which  turning  to  the  East,  it  leaveth  the 
Deserts  of  Palmyra  in  Syria,  which  reach  to  the  City  Petra 
and  the  Country  of  Arabia  called  the  Happy. 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  77 

CHAPTER  XXV. 
Palmyra.1 

THE  City  Palmyra,  noble  for  its  situation,  the  Riches  of 
its  Soil,  and  its  pleasant  Streams,  encloseth  its  Fields  with  a 
vast  compass  of  Sand.  And  as  if  shut  out  by  Nature  from 
all  other  Lands,  it  is  by  a  peculiar  lot  between  two  mighty 
Empires,  the  Romans  and  the  Parthians ;  wherein  Dis- 
cord is  ever  the  first  object  on  both  Sides.  It  is  distant 
from  Seleucia  of  the  Parthians,  which  is  called,  on  the 
Tigris,  537  Miles :  and  from  the  nearest  Coast  of  Syria,  252  : 
and  from  Damascus,  27  nearer. 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 
Hierapolis. 

BENEATH  the  Solitudes  of  Palmyra,  lieth  the  Country 
Stelendena,2  wherein  are  the  Cities  named  at  this  Day 
Hierapolis,  Beroea,  and  Chalcis.  Beyond  Palmyra  also, 
Hemesa  taketh  up  some  part  of  those  Deserts :  and  likewise 
Elutium,  nearer  to  Petra  by  one-half  than  is  Damascus. 
And  next  to  Astura  standeth  Philiscum,  a  Town  of  the  Par- 
thians, on  Euphrates.  From  which  by  Water  it  is  a  Journey 

1  We  are  at  a  loss  to  account  for  the  praise  bestowed  on  the  site  of 
Palmyra,  situated  as  it  is  on  the  borders  of  a  vast  wilderness  ;  it  can  only 
be  from  comparison  with  the  surrounding  sterility,  and  the  supply  of 
water  obtained  here,  which  is  so  rare  a  blessing  in  the  sandy  plains  of  the 
East.    The  country  does  not  appear  to  have  undergone  any  change  from 
the  period  of  the  foundation  of  this  ancient  city,  until  now ;  Tadmor  (its 
original  name)  was  built  by  king  Solomon,  probably  for  the  purpose  of 
cutting  off  all  commerce  between  the  Syrians  and  Mesopotamians,  and  it 
rose  into  note  in  consequence.    In  later  times  it  was  also  much  frequented 
by  the  caravans  of  Persia  and  the  countries  beyond. —  Wern.  Club. 

2  Stelendena  does  not  appear  to  be  mentioned  by  any  other  writer  than 
Pliny.    Hierapolis  has  been  just  before  spoken  of  under  the  name  of 
Bambyce  or  Magog,  as  the  Syrians  call  it.    It  is  the  Magog  of  Holy 
Scripture  (Ezekiel,  xxxviii.)  concerning  the  situation  of  which  great 
diversity  of  opinion  has  been  entertained. —  Wern.  Club. 


78  History  of  Nature.  [Boox  V. 

of  Ten  Days  to  Seleucia,  and  about  as  many  to  Babylon. 
Euphrates  is  divided  Fourscore  and  Three  Miles  from  Zeug- 
ma, about  the  Village  Massice,  and  on  the  Left  Side  it 
passeth  into  Mesopotamia,  through  Seleucia,  it  being  poured 
into  the  River  Tigris  as  it  runneth  by :  but  on  the  right 
Channel  it  passeth  toward  Babylon,  formerly  the  Chief  City 
of  Chaldoea ;  and  passing  through  the  midst  of  it,  as  also  of 
another  which  they  call  Otris,  it  is  drawn  off  into  Marshes. 
It  riseth  at  certain  Times  after  the  manner  of  the  Nilus, 
but  with  a  little  difference ;  for  it  overfloweth  Mesopotamia 
when  the  Sun  is  the  20th  degree  of  Cancer,  and  beginneth 
again  to  diminish  when  the  Sun  is  past  Leo,  and  is  entered 
into  Virgo :  so  that  in  the  29th  degree  of  Virgo,  it  is  reduced 
again. 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

Cilicia,  and  the  Nations  adjoining,  Isauriccs,  Homonades, 
Pisidia,  Lycaonia,  Pamphylia :  the  Mountain  Taurus, 
and  Lycia. 

BUT  we  will  return  to  the  Coasts  of  Syria,  to  which 
Cilicia  is  the  nearest.  The  River  Diaphanes,  the  Mountain 
Crocodilus,  Passages  of  the  Mount  Amanus  :  Rivers,  Andri- 
con,  Pinarus,  and  Lycus,  the  Gulf  Issicus.  The  Town  Issa, 
then  the  River  Chlorus,  the  Free  Town  ^Ege,  the  River  Pyra- 
mus,  and  the  Passages  of  Cilicia.  The  Towns  Mallos  and 
Magarsos  ;  and  within  Tarsos,  the  Plains,  Aleii ;  the  Towns, 
Cassipolis  and  Mopsum,  which  is  free,  and  standeth  upon  the 
River  Pyramus ;  Thynos,  Zephyrium,  and  Anchialse.  The 
Rivers  Saros  and  Sydnus,  which  runneth  through  Tarsus,  a 
free  City,  far  from  the  Sea :  the  Country  Celenderitis,  with 
the  Town.  The  Place  called  Nymphaeum,  and  Soloe  Cilicii, 
now  Pompeiopolis,  Adana,  Cibira,  Pinara,  Pedalie,  Halix, 
Arsinoe,  Tabae,  and  Doron  :  and  near  the  Sea  ye  shall  find  a 
Town,  an  Harbour,  and  a  Cave,  all  named  Corycos.  Soon 
after,  the  River  Calycadnus.  The  Promontory  Sarpedon, 
the  Towns  Olme  and  Mylee,  the  Promontory  and  Town  of 
Venus,  nearest  to  which  is  the  Isle  of  Cyprus.  But  in  the 
Mainland  are  the  Towns  Myanda,  Anemurium,  Corace- 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  79 

slum :  and  the  River  Melas,  the  ancient  Bound  of  Cilicia. 
Within  are  to  be  spoken  of,  the  Anazarbeni,  at  this  Day 
named  Caesar-Augustani ;  Castabla ;  Epiphania,  formerly 
Eniandos;  Eleusa,  and  Iconium.  Seleucia  upon  the  River 
Calicadmus,  surnamed  also  Trachiotis,  removed  backward 
from  the  Sea,  where  it  was  called  Hormia.  Furthermore, 
within  the  Country,  the  Rivers  Liparis,  Bombos,  and  Para- 
disus.  The  Mountain  Jubarus.  All  Authors  have  joined 
Pamphylia  to  Cilicia,  and  never  regarded  the  Nation  Isau- 
rica.  The  Towns  within  it  are,  Isaura,  Clibanus,  Lalassis ; 
and  it  shooteth  down  to  the  Sea-side  of  the  Country  Anemu- 
rium  abovesaid.  In  like  sort,  as  many  as  have  set  forth 
Descriptions  of  these  Matters,  had  no  Knowledge  of  the 
neighbouring  Nation,  the  Homonades,  which  have  a  Town 
within  their  Country  called  Homona.  Other  Fortresses,  to 
the  number  of  44,  lie  hidden  among  the  rugged  Valleys. 
The  Pisidae,  formerly  called  Solymis,  are  placed  on  the  top ; 
a  Colony  of  which  is  Caesarea,  the  same  as  Antiochia.  The 
Towns  are  Oroanda  and  Sagalessos.  This  Nation  is  enclosed 
within  Lycaonia,  lying  within  the  Jurisdiction  of  Asia  :  with 
which  are  joined  the  Philomelienses,  Tymbrians,  Leucolithi, 
Pelteni,  and  Hyrienses.  There  is  given  a  Tetrarchy  out  of 
Lycaonia,  on  that  side  that  bordereth  upon  Galatia :  to 
which  belong  14  Cities,  whereof  the  most  celebrated  is  Ico- 
nium. In  Lycaonia  itself,  those  of  celebrity  are  Tembasa 
upon  Taurus,  Sinda  in  the  Confines  of  Galatia  and  Cappa- 
docia.  But  on  the  Side  thereof  above  Pamphylia,  the  Myliae, 
descended  in  old  Time  from  Thrace,  whose  Town  is  Aricanda. 
Pamphylia  was  in  ancient  Time  called  Mopsopia.  The  Pam- 
phylian  Sea  joineth  to  the  Cilician.  Its  Towns  are  Sid£,  As- 
pendus  on  the  Mountain,  Platanistus,  and  Perga.  Also  the 
Promontory  Leucolla,  the  Mountain  Sardemisus,  the  River 
Eurymedon  running  near  Aspendum.  Cataractes,  near  which 
stand  Lyrnessus  and  Olbia;  and  the  furthest  of  that  Coast, 
Phaselis.  Joined  to  it  is  the  Lycian  Sea,  and  the  Nation  of 
the  Lycians,  where  is  a  great  Gulf.  The  Mountain  Taurus, 
coming  from  the  Eastern  Shores,  fixeth  the  limit  by  the 
Promontory  Chelidonium.  This  (Taurus)  is  a  mighty  Moun- 


80  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  V. 

tain,  and  is  an  overlooker  to  a  very  great  Number  of  Nations. 
So  soon  as  it  is  risen  from  the  Indian  Sea,  it  parteth  :  and  the 
right  Hand  passeth  Northward,  the  left  Southward,  bending 
toward  the  West :  dividing  Asia  through  the  midst :  and 
(but  that  it  meeteth  the  Seas)  ready  to  oppress  the  whole 
Earth.  It  retireth,  therefore,  toward  the  North,  fetching  a 
great  Circuit,  and  so  making  way,  as  if  the  Industry  of 
Nature  continually  opposed  the  Seas  against  it ;  on  one  side 
the  Phrenician  Sea,  on  another  the  Sea  of  Pontus ;  here  the 
Caspian  and  Hyrcanian  Seas,  and  full  against  him  the  Lake 
Moeotis.  And  notwithstanding  these  Bars,  within  which  it 
is  pent  and  entwined,  yet  at  last  Conqueror ;  it  winds  away 
and  passeth  on  until  it  encounters  its  kindred  Riphaean 
Mountains :  and  wherever  it  goeth,  it  is  distinguished  by  a 
Number  of  new  Names.  For  in  the  Beginning  of  its  Course 
it  is  called  Imaus  :  a  little  forward  Emodus,  Paropamisus, 
Circius,  Camibades,  Parphariades,  Choatras,  Oreges,  Oro- 
andes,  Niphates,  Taurus  ;  and  where  it  is  predominant,  Cau- 
casus ;  where  it  stretcheth  forth  its  Arms,  as  if  now  and  then 
endeavouring  toward  the  Seas,  it  taketh  the  Name  Sarpedon, 
Coracesius,  and  Cragus ;  and  then  again  Taurus,  even  where 
it  gapeth,  and  opening  itself  to  the  People.  And  yet  it 
claimeth  its  Unity  still,  and  (these  Passages  are  called)  by 
the  Names  of  Gates ;  as  in  one  Place  Armenise,  in  another 
Caspise,  and  again  Cilicise.  And  besides  being  broken  into 
Parcels,  and  escaped  far  from  the  Sea,  it  taketh  here  and 
there  many  Names  of  Nations  ;  as,  on  the  right  Hand  Hyr- 
canus  and  Caspius  ;  on  the  left,  Pariedrus,  Moschicus, 
Amazonicus,  Coraxicus,  and  Scythicus.  And  throughout  all 
Greece,  Ceraunius. 

To  return  to  Lycia,  beyond  its  Promontory,  is  the  Town 
Simena,  the  Mountain  Chimaera,  emitting  Flames  by  Night ; 
the  City  Hephaestium,  where  the  Hills  likewise  oftentimes 
are  known  to  burn.  Formerly  the  City  Olympus  stood  there ; 
but  now  the  Mountain  Towns,  Gage,  Corydalla,  and  Rhodio- 
polis.  Near  the  Sea,  Lymira  with  a  River,  into  which 
Arycandus  runneth  :  also  the  Mountain  Massyrites,  the 
Cities  Andriarca  and  Myra.  These  Towns,  Apyr£  and  Anti- 


•" 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  81 

phellos,  which  formerly  was  called  Habessus,  and  in  a  cor- 
ner, Phellus.  Then  Pyrrha,  and  also  Xanthus,  J5  Miles 
from  the  Sea,  and  a  River  of  the  same  Name.  Soon  after 
Patara,  formerly  named  Sataros ;  and  Sydinia  on  a  Hill ; 
the  Promontory  Ciagus.  Beyond  which  is  a  Gulf  equal  to 
the  former.  There  is  Pinara  ;  and  Telrnessus,  that  boundeth 
Lycia.  In  ancient  Time  Lycia  possessed  threescore  Towns, 
but  now  36;  of  which  the  most  celebrated,  besides  the  above- 
named,  are  Canae,  Candyba,  where  the  Wood  Oeniutn  is 
praised  ;-  Podalia,  Choma  upon  the  River  Adesa,  Cyan£, 
Ascandalis,  Amelas,  Noscopium,  Tlos,  and  Telanorus.  It 
containeth  in  the  midland  Parts  Chabalia,  with  three  Towns 
thereto  belonging :  Oenonda,  Balbura,  and  Bubon. 

Beyond  Telmessus  is  the  Asiatic  Sea,  otherwise  called 
Carpathium,  and  the  Country  which  is  properly  called  Asia. 
Agrippa  hath  divided  it  into  two  Parts,  of  which  the  one  by 
his  Description  boundeth  Phrygia  and  Lycaonia,  eastward  : 
but  on  the  West  Side  it  is  limited  by  the  ^Egean  Sea. 
Southward  it  boundeth  upon  Egypt:  and  in  the  North  upon 
Paphlagonia.  The  Length  thereof  by  his  Computation  is 
470  Miles,  the  Breadth  300.  The  other  he  hath  limited 
Eastward  from  Armenia  the  Less:  Westward  by  Phrygia, 
Lycaonia,  and  Pamphylia;  on  the  North  by  the  Province  of 
Pontus  ;  and  on  the  South  by  the  Pamphylian  Sea  :  it  con- 
taineth 575  Miles  in  Length,  and  325  in  Breadth.  The  next 
Coast  bordering  upon  it  is  Caria :  and  near  it,  Ionia ; 
beyond  that,  jEolis.  For  Caria  encloseth  Doris  in  the  midst, 
environing  it  round  on  every  Side  to  the  Sea.  In  it  is  the 
Promontory  Pedalium,  and  the  River  Glaucus,  charged 
with  (the  River)  Telmessus.  The  Towns,  Daedala  and  Crya, 
peopled  with  Fugitives ;  the  River  Axon,  and  the  Town 
Calydua. 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 
The  River  Indus. 

THE  River  Indus,  rising  in  the  craggy  Mountains  of  the 
Cybiratae,  receiveth  threescore  regularly  running  Rivers,  but 
of  Torrents  above  an  hundred.  The  Free  Town  Caunos,  and 


82  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  V. 

a  little  off,  Pyrnos.  The  Port  Cressa,  from  which  the  Island 
Rhodus  is  distant  20  Miles.  The  Place  Loryma ;  the  Towns 
Tysanusa,  Taridion,  Larymna;  the  Bay  Thymnias,  and  the 
Promontory  Aphrodisias ;  the  Town  Hyda,  the  Bay  Schcenus. 
The  Country  Bubassus ;  where  stood  the  Town  Acanthus, 
otherwise  called  Dulopolis.  On  the  Promontory  is  the  Free 
(Town)  Gnidos,  Triopia,  then  Pegusa,  called  likewise  Stadia. 
Beyond  which  Doris  beginneth.  But  first  it  is  convenient  to 
have  pointed  out  the  midland  Jurisdictions  and  the  Parts 
which  lie  behind  :  one  is  named  Cibiratica.  The  Town  itself 
is  in  Phrygia,  and  to  it  are  joined  25  Cities. 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 
Laodicea,  Apamia,  Ionia,  Ephesus. 

THE  most  celebrated  City  is  Laodicea.1  It  is  seated  on 
the  River  Lycus,  Asopus  and  Caper  washing  its  Sides.  This 
City  was  first  called  Diospolis,  and  afterwards  Rhoas.  The 
other  Nations  belonging  to  that  Jurisdiction  worth  the  Nam- 
ing are  the  Hydrelitse,  Themisones,  and  Hierapolitae.  Another 
Jurisdiction  taketh  its  Name  from  Synnada:  and  to  it  repair 
the  Licaones,  Appiani,  Eucarpeni,  Dorylaei,  Midsei,  Julienses, 
and  fifteen  other  ignoble  People.  A  third  (Jurisdiction) 
goeth  to  Apamia,  which  in  old  Time  was  called  Celsenae,  and 
afterwards  Ciboton.  It  is  situated  at  the  Foot  of  the  Moun- 

1  Laodicea,  so  named  in  honour  of  Laodice,  wife  of  Antiochus  II.,  by 
whom  the  city  was  enlarged.  From  all  accounts  it  appears  to  have  been 
built  on  a  volcanic  hill,  and  boasted,  in  its  prosperity,  many  public  build- 
ings of  note,  of  which  the  remains  of  an  aqueduct  and  amphitheatre  are 
still  to  be  seen. 

Ephesus  was  the  capital  of  Proconsular  Asia,  and  was  situated  in  Ionia 
(now  Natolia),  about  five  miles  from  the  -ZEgean  Sea,  on  the  sides  and 
at  the  foot  of  a  range  of  mountains  overlooking  a  fine  plain  watered  and 
fertilised  by  the  river  Cayster.  The  city  was  celebrated  for  the  Temple 
of  Diana,  a  most  magnificent  edifice,  erected  at  the  common  expense 
of  the  inhabitants  of  Asia  Proper,  and  described  by  Pliny,  b.  xxxvi.  c.  14, 
but  of  which  the  site  is  now  unknown.  Ephesus  was  finally  overthrown 
in  the  fourteenth  century,  after  continued  struggles.  There  are  numerous 
traces  of  its  magnificence  still  extant,  though  the  neighbouring  country 
bears  all  the  marks  of  desolation  and  decay. — Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  83 

tain  Signia,  environed  with  the  Rivers  Marsyas,  Obrima, 
and  Orga,  which  fall  into  the  Maeander.  The  River  Marsyas, 
which  a  little  from  his  Spring  is  hidden  under  Ground, 
where  Marsyas  contended  with  Apollo  in  playing  on  the 
flute,  sheweth  itself  again  in  Aulocrenee,  for  so  is  the  Valley 
called,  ten  Miles  from  Apamia,  as  Men  travel  to  Phrygia. 
Under  this  Jurisdiction  we  should  do  well  to  Name  the 
Metropolitae,  Dionysopolitee,  Euphorbeni,  Acmoneses,  Pel- 
teni,  and  Silbiani.  There  are  besides  60  ignoble  Towns. 
Within  the  Bay  of  Doris,  Leucopolis,  Amaxitos,  Elaeus,  and 
Euthene.  Then  Towns  of  Caria,  Pitaium,  Eutanise,  and 
Halicarnassus.  To  this  (City)  were  annexed  by  Alexander 
the  Great,  six  Towns:  Theangela,  Sibde,  Medmossa,  Eura- 
nium,  Pedasium,  and  Telmessum.  It  is  inhabited  be- 
tween the  two  Gulfs,  Ceramicus  and  Jasius.  From  thence 
Myndus,  and  where  formerly  stood  Palsemyndus,  Neapolis, 
Nariandus,  Carianda,  the  Free  City  Termera,  Bergyla,  and 
the  Town  Jasus,  which  gave  Name  to  the  Gulf  Jasius.  But 
Caria  is  most  renowned  for  the  Places  of  Name  within  it, 
for  therein  are  these  Cities :  Mylasa  Free,  and  Antiochia, 
where  sometime  were  the  Towns  Seminethos  and  Cranaos  : 
and  it  is  now  environed  about  with  the  Maeander  and  Mos- 
sinus.  In  the  same  Tract  also  stood  Maeandropolis.  There 
is  Eumenia  close  by  the  River  Cludrus ;  the  River  Glaucus  ; 
the  Town  Lysias  and  Orthasia.  The  Tract  of  Berecinthus, 
Nysa,  Trallis,  which  also  is  named  Euanthia,  and  Seleucia, 
and  Antiochia.  It  is  washed  by  the  River  Eudone,  and 
Thebanis  passeth  through  it.  Some  report  that  the  Pigmaei1 

1  The  Pygmasi  were  a  fabulous  nation  inhabiting  Thrace  and  other 
regions,  who  brought  forth  young  at  five  years  of  age,  and  were  old  at 
eight.  Homer  has  celebrated  their  memorable  defeats  by  cranes. — Iliad, 
3d  Book. 

" When  inclement  winters  vex  the  plain 

With  piercing  frosts,  or  thick  descending  rain, 
To  wanner  seas  the  cranes  embodied  fly, 
With  noise,  and  order,  through  the  mid- way  sky : 
To  pigmy  nations  wounds  and  death  they  bring, 
And  all  the  war  descends  upon  the  wing." — Pope. 

Pliny  has  described  these  tiny  creatures  in  Lib.  vi.  c.  22  and  35,  and 


84  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  V. 

formerly  there  dwelt.  Besides,  there  are  Thydonos,  Pyrrha, 
Eurome\  Heraclea,  Amyzon,  and  the  Free  Alabanda,  from 
which  that  Jurisdiction  took  its  Name.  The  Free  Stratonicea, 
Hynidos,  Ceramus,  Troezene,  and  Phorontis.  There  are 
Nations  farther  remote  that  resort  to  that  Court:  the 
Othronienses,  Halydienses  or  Hyppini,  Xystiani,  Hydis- 
senses,  Apolloniates,  Trapezopolitae,  and  the  Free  Aphro- 
disienses.  Besides  these,  there  are  Cossinus  and  Harpasa, 
close  by  the  River  Harpasus,  which  also  ran  under  Trallicon, 
when  such  a  Town  existed.  Lydia  is  watered  by  the  wind- 
ings of  the  River  Maeander:  and  it  reacheth  above  Ionia: 
being  near  upon  Phrygia  in  the  East,  upon  Mysia  in  the 
North,  and  in  the  South  side  enclosing  Caria ;  and  was  for- 
merly named  Moeonia.  It  is  celebrated  chiefly  for  Sardis, 
seated  upon  the  side  of  the  Mountain  Trnolus,  formerly 
called  Timolus,  planted  with  Vineyards;  and  from  it  flows 
Pactolus,  called  likewise  Chrysorrhoa :  as  also  the  Fountain 
Tarnes.  This  City  was  commonly  by  the  Moeoniae  called 
Hyde,  and  was  famous  for  the  Lake  of  Gyges.  That  Juris- 
diction is  at  this  Day  called  Sardiana.  Thither  resort  besides 
the  abovenamed,  the  Macedonian  Caduenes,  the  Loreni, 

again  in  lib.  vii.  c.  2.  See  also  Aristotle's  Hist.  Anim.  lib.  viii.,  and 
Mela,  lib.  iii.  There  can  be  no  question  but  that  the  ancient  fictions  of 
pygmies,  satyrs,  cynocephali,  cynoprosopi,  &c.,  and  other  supposed  tribes 
of  human  monsters,  originated  in  vague  accounts  of  different  species  of 
simise,  though  the  Bushmen  of  South  Africa  are  supposed  also  to  have 
been  referred  to  as  a  nation  of  pigmies.  The  earliest  unquestionable 
reference  to  any  of  the  true  apes  is  found  in  the  Periplus  of  Hanno,  circ. 
500  B.C. 

"  For  three  days,"  says  the  Carthaginian  admiral,  "  we  passed  along  a 
burning  coast,  and  at  length  reached  a  bay  called  the  Southern  Horn. 
In  the  bottom  of  this  bay  we  found  an  island  similar  to  that  already  men- 
tioned ;  this  island  contained  a  lake,  that  in  its  turn  contained  another 
island,  which  was  inhabited  by  wild  men.  The  greater  number  of  those 
we  saw  were  females ;  they  were  covered  with  hair,  and  our  interpreters 
called  them  Gorilloi.  We  were  unable  to  secure  any  of  the  men,  as  they 
fled  to  the  mountains,  and  defended  themselves  with  stones.  As  to  the 
women;  we  caught  three  of  them,  but  they  so  bit  and  scratched  us  that 
we  found  it  impossible  to  bring  them  along;  we  therefore  killed  and 
flayed  them,  and  carried  their  hides  to  Carthage." — Wcrn.  Club. 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  85 

Philadelpheni,  and  those  Moeonians  inhabiting  on  the 
River  Cogamus,  at  the  Foot  of  Tmolus ;  and  the  Tripoli- 
tani,  who,  together  with  the  Antoniopolitae,  are  washed  by 
the  River  Maeander ;  also,  the  Apollonos-Hieritae,  Myso- 
tmolites,  and  others  of  mean  Reputation. 

Ionia  beginneth  at  the  Bay  of  Jasius,  and  all  its  Coast  is 
full  of  Indentations.  The  first  Bay  in  it  is  Basilicus ;  the 
Promontory  Posideum,  and  the  Town  called  the  Oracle  of 
the  Branchidae,  but  at  this  Day,  of  Apollo  Didymaeus,  20 
Stadia  from  the  Sea-side.  And  beyond  this  180  Stadia, 
standeth  Milletus,  the  Head  (City)  of  Ionia,  named  in  Time 
past  Lelegeis ;  Pity  lisa,  also  named  Anactoria.  From  which, 
as  from  a  Mother,  are  descended  more  than  eighty  others, 
built  along  the  Sea-coast.  Neither  is  this  City  to  be  de- 
frauded of  the  Citizen  Cadmus,  who  taught  first  to  declaim 
in  Prose.  The  River  Maeander  issueth  out  of  a  Lake  in  the 
Mountain  Aulocrene ;  and  passing  by  many  Towns,  and 
filled  with  Abundance  of  Rivers,  it  fetcheth  such  windings 
to  and  fro,  that  oftentimes  it  is  thought  to  run  backward 
again.  The  first  Country  it  passeth  through  is  Apamia  :  and 
presently  Eumenitica,  and  so  through  the  Plains  Bargyl- 
letici.  Last  of  all,  it  cometh  gently  into  Caria,  and  watering 
all  that  Land  with  a  very  fruitful  Mud,  about  ten  Stadia 
from  Miletus  it  glideth  into  the  Sea.  Near  (to  that  River)  is 
the  Mountain  Latmus  :  the  Town  Heraclea,  surnamed 
Caryca,  from  a  Hill  of  that  Name;  also  Myus,  which, 
as  the  Report  goeth,  was  first  founded  by  the  lones  after 
their  proceeding  from  Athens ;  Naulochum,  and  Pyrene". 
Upon  the  Sea-coast  the  (Town)  called  Trogilia ;  the  River 
Gessus.  This  Region  is  sacred  to  all  the  lonians,  and  there- 
fore it  is  named  Panionia.  Near  it  was  Phygela,  built  for 
Fugitives,  as  appeareth  by  the  Name  :  and  the  Town  Mara- 
thesium  :  and  above  it  Magnesia,  designated  with  the  sur- 
name On-Maeander,  sprung  from  the  Thessalian  Magnesia. 
From  Ephesus  it  is  distant  15  Miles;  and  from  Tralleis  it  is 
three  Miles  farther.  Formerly  it  was  called  Thessaloce  and 
Androlitia :  and  being  situated  upon  the  Shore,  it  took  away 
with  it  from  the  Sea  other  Islands  called  Derasides.  Within- 


86  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  V. 

land  Thyatira  (in  old  Time  called  Pelopia  and  Euhippa)  is 
washed  by  the  Lycus.  But  upon  the  Sea-coast  is  Manteium  ; 
and  Ephesus,  a  Work  of  the  Amazons.  But  many  Names 
it  had  gone  through  before  ;  for  in  the  Time  of  the  Trojan 
War  it  was  called  Alopes  :  soon  after,  Ortygia  and  Morges  : 
and  it  took  the  Name  of  Smyrna,  with  addition  of  Trachaea 
(i.  e.  Rough),  Samornium,  and  Ptelea.  It  is  mounted  on 
the  Hill  Pion£,  and  is  washed  by  the  Caystrus,  which  spring- 
eth  out  of  the  Cilbian  Hills,  and  bringeth  down  with  it 
many  other  Rivers,  and  the  Lake  Pegaseum,  which  dis- 
chargeth  itself  by  the  River  Phyrites.  From  these  Rivers 
proceedeth  a  large  quantity  of  Mud,  which  increaseth  the 
Land :  so  that  it  hath  thrown  good  way  within  the  Land  the 
Island  Syrie.  There  is  a  Fountain  within  the  City  called 
Callipia :  and  two  (Rivers)  Selinuces,  coming  from  different 
Countries,  encircle  the  Temple  of  Diana.  From  Ephesus 
you  come  to  another  Manteium,  inhabited  by  the  Colo- 
phonii :  and  within,  the  Country  Colophon  itself,  with  the 
(River)  Halesus  flowing  by  it.  Then  the  Sacred  Place 
(Fane)  of  Apollo  Clarius,  and  Lebedos.  And  there  formerly 
was  the  Town  Notium.  The  Promontory  Coryceon  :  the 
Mountain  Mimas,  which  reacheth  out  250  Miles,  and 
endeth  at  length  in  the  Plains  within  the  Continent.  This 
is  the  place  where  Alexander  the  Great  commanded  the 
Plain  to  be  cut  through  for  seven  Miles  and  a  half  in  Length, 
to  join  the  two  Gulfs,  and  to  bring  Erythrse  and  Mimas 
together,  to  be  environed  around  therewith.  Near  this  Ery- 
thrae  were  the  Towns,  Pteleon,  Helos,  and  Dorion:  now, 
there  is  the  River  Aleon,  and  Corineum:  upon  the  Mount 
Mimas,  Clazomene,  Partheniae;  and  Hippi,  called  Chyto- 
phoria,  when  they  were  Islands  :  the  same  Alexander  united 
them  to  the  Continent  for  the  Space  of  two  Stadia.  There 
have  perished  within,  Daphnus,  Hermesia,  and  Sipylum, 
called  formerly  Tantalis,  the  chief  City  of  Mceonia,  where 
now  is  the  Lake  Sale.  And  for  that  cause  Archaeopolis 
succeeded  to  Sipylus,  and  after  it  Colpe,  and  to  it  Lebade. 
Returning  thence  twelve  Miles  off  is  Smyrna,  on  the  Coast, 
built  by  an  Amazon,  but  restored  by  Alexander  the  Great ; 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  87 

made  pleasant  by  the  River  Meles,  which  hath  its  Source 
not  far  off.  The  most  celebrated  Mountains  in  Asia,  for  the 
most  part,  spread  themselves  at  large  in  this  Tract,  as  Mas- 
tusia,  on  the  Back  of  Smyrna ;  and  Termetis  that  meeteth 
close  to  the  Foot  of  Olympus.  This  (Olympus)  endeth  in 
Draco,  and  Draco  in  Tmolus  ;  Tmolus  at  Cadmus ;  and  Cad- 
mus in  Taurus.  Beyond  Smyrna  are  Plains,  formed  by  the 
River  Hermus,  and  therefore  adopting  its  Name.  This 
(River)  hath  its  Beginning  near  Doryleus,  a  City  of  Phrygia, 
and  collecteth  into  it  many  Rivers;  among  which  is  Phryge, 
which  giveth  Name  to  the  whole  Nation  and  divideth  Phry- 
gia and  Caria  asunder.  Moreover,  Lyllus  and  Crios,  which 
are  well  filled  by  the  other  Rivers  of  Phrygia,  Mysia,  and 
Lydia.  In  the  Mouth  of  this  River  stood  the  Town  Tenmos  : 
now  in  the  further  portion  of  the  Gulf  are  the  Rocks  Myr- 
meces.  Also  the  Town  Leuce  upon  the  Promontory,  which 
was  an  Island  :  and  Phocaea,  which  boundeth  Ionia.  A  large 
part  of  ^Eolia,  of  which  we  will  speak  by  and  by,  repaireth 
commonly  to  the  Convention  of  Smyrna  :  and  likewise  the 
Macedonians,  surnamed  Hyrcani ;  and  the  Magnetes  from 
Sipylum.  But  to  Ephesus,  which  is  another  Light  of  Asia, 
resort  those  that  dwell  farther  off :  the  Caesarienses,  Metro- 
politae,  Cylbiani,  the  Myso-Macedones,  as  well  the  Higher 
as  the  Lower,  the  Mastaurenses,  Brullitae,  Hyppcepeni,  and 
Dios-HieritsB. 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

JEolis,  Troas,  and  Pergamus. 

jEoLis,  in  old  Time  called  Mysia,1  is  nearest  (to  Ionia :) 
and  so  is  Troas,  which  boundeth  upon  the  Hellespontus. 

1  The  people  of  Mysia,  according  to  Cicero,  "  were  despicable  and  base 
to  a  proverb."  Their  country  was  bounded  on  the  west  by  Troas,  in 
which  region  was  situated  the  city  of  that  name,  of  which  numerous 
vestiges  remain,  attesting  its  former  splendour.  "  Indeed,"  says  Mr. 
Fellowes,  who  visited  the  spot  in  1838,  "  for  many  miles  round  the  soil  is 
rendered  useless  for  agriculture,  by  the  multitude  of  broken  marbles, 
stones,  and  arches,  which  lie  under  the  surface  in  every  direction." 

Pergamus  was  the  ancient  capital  of  Mysia,  and,  as  its  ruins  also  attest, 
was  a  magnificent  city.—  Wern.  Club. 


88  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  V. 

Being  past  Phocaea,  there  is  the  Port  Ascanius :  and  then 
the  Place  where  Larissa  stood  :  and  now  Cyme,  and  Myrina, 
which  calleth  itself  Sebastopolis.  Within  the  Land,  ^Egae, 
Attalia,  Posidea,  Neon-tichos,  and  Temnos.  Upon  the  Coast, 
the  River  Titanus,  and  a  City  taking  its  Name  from  it.  There 
was  also  Grynia,  now  only  a  Port  of  the  Ground ;  the  Island 
being  taken  into  it.  The  Town  Elaea,  and  the  River  Caicus 
corning  out  of  Mysia.  The  Town  Pytane,  the  River  Canaius. 
There  are  perished,  Cause,  Lysimachia,  Atarnea,  Carenae, 
Cisthene,  Cilia,  Cocillum,  Thebae,  Astyre,  Chrysa,  Paloe- 
stepsis,  Gergithos,  and  Neandros.  At  this  Day,  there  is  the 
City  Perperene,  the  Tract  Heracleotes;  the  Town  Coryphas, 
the  River  Chryliosolius,  the  Country  called  Aphrodisias, 
which  formerly  was  Politiceorgas,  the  Country  Scepsis ; 
the  River  Evenus,  upon  the  Bank  of  which  have  perished 
Lyrmessos  and  Miletos.  In  this  Tract  is  the  Mountain  Ida. 
And  in  the  Sea-Coast  Adramytteos,  formerly  called  Pedasus, 
where  the  Bay  and  Convention  are  named  Adramytteos. 
Rivers,  Astron,  Cormalos,  Eryannos,  Alabastros,  and  Hieros 
out  of  Ida.  Within,  Mount  Gargara,  and  a  Town  of  the 
same  Name.  And  then  again  on  the  Sea-side,  Antandros, 
formerly  called  Edonis  :  then,  Cymeris,  and  Assos,  which 
also  is  Apollonia.  Also  there  was  a  Town  called  Palame- 
dium.  The  Promontory  Lecton,  dividing  jEolus  and  Troas. 
There  also  was  the  City  Polymedia,  and  Cryssa,  with  another 
Larissa.  The  Temple  Smintheum  remaineth  still.  Within, 
the  Town  Colone  is  destroyed,  and  the  Business  removed 
to  Adramytteum.  The  Apolloniatse,  from  the  River  Rhyn- 
dicus :  the  Eresii,  Miletopolites,  Pcemaneni,  Macedones, 
Aschilacae,  Polychnaei,  Pionitae,  Cilices,  and  Mandagandeni. 
In  Mysia,  the  Abrettini,  and  those  called  Hellespontii ;  be- 
sides others  of  base  account.  The  first  place  in  Troas  is 
Amaxitus :  then,  Cebrenia,  and  Troas  itself,  named  Anti- 
gonia,  now  Alexandria,  a  Roman  Colony.  The  Town  Nee : 
the  navigable  River  Scamander;  and  on  the  Promontory, 
formerly,  the  Town  Sigaeum.  Then  the  Port  of  the  Greeks, 
(Portus  Achaeorum,)  into  which  Xanthus  and  Simoeis  run 
together;  as  also  Palae-Scamander,  but  first  it  maketh  a 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  89 

Lake.  The  remainder  celebrated  by  Homer  as  Rhaesus, 
Heptaporus,  Caresus,  and  Rhodius,  have  no  Vestiges  remain- 
ing. The  Granicus  floweth  by  a  different  Tract  into  the 
Propontis.  Yet  there  is  at  this  Day  a  little  City  called 
Scamandria;  and  one  Mile  and  a  half  from  the  Port,  the 
Free  City  Ilium,  from  which  proceedeth  all  that  great  Name, 
Outside  of  this  Gulf  lieth  the  Coast  Rhoetea,  inhabited  with 
the  Towns  upon  it,  of  Rhoeteum,  Dardanium,  and  Arisbe. 
There  was  also  Acheleum,  a  Town  near  the  Tomb  of  Achilles, 
founded  by  the  Mitylenei,  and  afterwards  re-edified  by  the 
Athenians,  on  the  Bay  Sigaeum,  where  his  Fleet  rode.  There 
also  was  Acantium,  built  by  the  Rhodians,  in  another  Horn, 
where  Ajax  was  interred,  thirty  Stadia  distant  from  Sigaeum, 
and  the  very  Station  of  his  Fleet.  Above  ^Eolis  and  a  part 
of  Troas,  within  the  Continent,  is  the  (Town)  called  Teu- 
thrania,  which  the  Mysi  in  old  Time  held.  There  springeth 
Caicus,  the  River  abovesaid.  A  large  Country  this  is  of  it- 
self, and  especially  when  it  was  united  to  Mysia,  and  also  so 
called :  containing  in  it  Pioniae,  Andera,  Gale,  Stabulum, 
Conisium,  Tegium,  Balcea,  Tiare,  Teuthrania,  Sarnaca,  Hali- 
serne",  Lycide,  Parthenium,  Thymbre,  Oxyopum,  Lygda- 
num,  Apollonia  :  and  Pergamus,  the  most  illustrious  City  of 
Asia  by  many  Degrees  ;  through  it  passeth  the  River  Selinus, 
and  Caetius  runneth  by  it,  issuing  out  of  the  Mountain  Pin- 
dasus.  Not  far  from  thence  is  Elea,  which,  as  we  have 
said,  standeth  on  the  Shore.  The  Jurisdiction  of  this  Tract 
is  named  Pergamena.  To  it  resort  the  Thyatyreni,  Myg- 
dones,  Mossini,  Bregmenteni,  Hieracomitae,  Perpereni, 
Tyareni,  Hierapolenses,  Harmatapolitse,  Attalenses,  Pan- 
taenses,  Apollonidenses,  and  other  Cities  of  little  Honour. 
Dardanium,  a  small  Town,  is  threescore  and  ten  Stadia  dis- 
tant from  Rhoeteum.  Eighteen  Miles  from  thence  is  the 
Promontory  Trapeza,  where  first  the  Hellespont  rusheth 
along  roughly.  Eratosthenes  saith,  That  the  Nations  of  the 
Solymi,  Leleges,  Bebrices,  Colycantii,  and  Trepsedores,  are 
utterly  perished  from  Asia.  Isidorus  reporteth  the  same  of 
the  Arymei  and  Capretae,  where  Apamia  was  built  by  King 
Seleucus,  between  Cilicia,  Cappadocia,  Cataonia,  and  Armenia. 


90  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  V. 

And  because  he  had  vanquished  most  Fierce  Nations,  at  the 
first  he  named  it  Damea. 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 

The  Islands  before  Asia,  the  Pamphylian  Sea  ;  Rhodus, 
Samus,  and  Chios. 

THE  first  of  the  Islands  before  Asia  is  in  the  Canopic 
Mouth  of  the  Nilus,  so  called,  as  they  say,  from  Canopus, 
the  Pilot  of  King  Menelaus.1  The  second  is  Pharus,  which 
is  joined  to  Alexandria  by  a  Bridge.  In  old  Time  it  was  a 
Day's  Sailing  from  Egypt :  and  now  by  Fires  from  a  Watch- 
Tower,  Sailors  are  directed  in  the  Night.  It  is  a  Colony  of 
Ctesar  the  Dictator.  Alexandria  is  encompassed  with  de- 
ceitful Shallows,  and  there  are  but  three  Channels  from  the 
Sea;  Tegamum,  Posideum,  and  Taurus.  Next  to  that  Isle, 
in  the  Phrenician  Sea  before  Joppa,  lieth  Paria,  an  Island 
not  larger  than  the  Town,  in  which  they  report  that  Andro- 
meda was  exposed  to  the  Beast.2  Also  Arados  beforenamed, 
between  which  and  the  Continent,  as  Mutianus  says,  there  is 
a  Fountain  in  the  Sea,  where  it  is  fifty  Cubits  deep,  out  of 
which  Fresh  Water  is  drawn  from  the  very  Bottom  of  the 
Sea,  through  Pipes  made  of  Leather.  The  Pamphylian  Sea 
hath  some  Islands  of  little  Importance.  In  the  Cilician  Sea 
is  Cyprus,  one  of  the  Five  greatest,  and  it  lieth  east  and 
west,  opposite  Cilicia  and  Syria ;  in  Times  past  the  Seat  of 
Nine  Kingdoms.  Timosthenes  saith,  that  it  contained  in 
Circuit  four  hundred  and  nineteen  Miles  and  a  half; 
but  Isidorus  is  of  opinion,  that  it  is  but  three  hundred 
and  seventy-five  Miles  in  Compass.  Its  Length  between 
the  two  Promontories,  Dinaretas  and  Acamas,  which 
is  westward,  Artemidorus  reporteth  to  be  160|  Miles:  and 

1  Jacob  Bryant,  in  his  "Analysis  of  Ancient  Mythology,"  (vol.  ii.  p.  4,) 
says,  "  that  the  priests  of  Egypt  laughed  at  this  account  of  the  pilot  of 
Menelaus,  as  an  idle  story ;  affirming  that  the  place  was  much  more  an- 
cient than  the  people  of  Greece  ;  and  the  name  not  of  Grecian  original." 
Also  Stephanus  of  Byzantium  calls  the  pilot  Pharos,  and  not  Canopus. — 
Wern.  Club. 

•  Seep.  67  of  this  vol. 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  91 

Timosthenes  200,  who  saith  besides,  that  formerly  it  was 
called  Acamantis :  according  to  Philonides,  Cerastis :  after 
Xenagoras,  Aspelia,  Amathusia,  and  Macatia :  Astynomus 
calleth  it  Cryptos  and  Colinia.  Towns  in  it,  15 :  Paphos, 
Palaepaphos,  Curias,  Citium,  Corineum,  Salamis,  Amathus, 
Lapethos,  Soloe,  Tamaseus,  Epidarum,  Chytri,  Arsinoe, 
Carpasium,  and  Golgi.  There  were  in  it  besides,  Cinirya, 
Marium,  and  Idalium.  And  from  Anemurium  in  Cilicia,  is 
50  Miles.  The  Sea  which  is  stretched  between  they  call 
Aulon  Cilicium.  In  this  Tract  is  the  Island  Elaeusa:  and 
four  others  before  the  Promontory  named  Glides,  over-against 
Syria.  Likewise  one  more,  named  Stiria,  at  the  other  Cape. 
Over-against  Neampaphos,  Hierocepia.  Over-against  Sala- 
mis, Salaminse.  But  in  the  Lycian  Sea,  Illyris,  Telendos, 
Attelebussa,  and  three  Cyprise,  all  barren :  also  Dionysia, 
formerly  called  Caretha.  Then  over-against  the  Promon- 
tory of  Taurus,  the  Chelidonise,  dangerous  to  Sailors :  and 
as  many  more,  together  with  the  Town  Leucola  Pactiae, 
Lasia,  Nymphais,  Maoris,  Megista,  the  City  of  which  is 
gone.  Then  many  of  no  Importance.  But  over-against  Chi- 
mera, Dolichiste,  Chirogylium,  Crambussa,  Rhod£,  Enagora, 
eight  Miles.  Daedaleon,  two:  Cryeon,  three:  and  Stron- 
gyle,  over-against  Sidynia  of  Antiochus:  and  toward  the 
River  Glaucus  Lagusa,  Macris,  Didymse,  Helbo,  Scope, 
Aspis,  and  Telandria  ;  in  which  the  Town  is  gone  :  and,  near 
to  Caunus,  Rhodussa.  But  the  fairest  of  all  is  the  Free  (Isle) 
Rhodos  ;  in  Compass  130  Miles  ;  or  if  we  rather  give  Credit 
to  Isidorus,  103.  Cities  in  it  well  peopled,  Lindus,  Camirus, 
and  lalysus,  now  called  Rhodus.  By  the  Account  of  Isidorus, 
it  is  from  Alexandria  in  Egypt,  578  Miles :  but  according  to 
Eratosthenes,  569  :  according  to  Mutianus,  500 ;  and  from 
Cyprus,  416.  In  Times  past  it  was  called  Ophyusa,  Asteria, 
jEthraea,  Trinacria,  Corymbia,  Poeessa,  Atabyria  from  the 
King( Atabyris) :  and  finally,  Macaria,  and  Oloessa.  Islands  of 
the  Rhodians,  Carpathus,  which  gave  name  to  the  Sea  (Car- 
pathium) ;  Casos,  formerly  Achme  :  and  Nisyros,  distant 
from  Gnidos  twelve  Miles  and  a  half;  which  heretofore  had 
been  called  Porphyris.  And  in  the  same  Range,  Syme, 


92  History  of  Nature.  [  Boo K  V . 

between  Rhodtis  and  Gnidus  ;  it  is  in  Circuit  six-and-thirty 
Miles  and  a  half.  It  is  blessed  with  eight  Harbours.  Be- 
sides these,  there  lie  about  Rhodus,  Cyclopis,  Teganon,  Cor- 
dylusa,  four  under  the  Name  of  Diabete"  :  Hymos,  Chalcis, 
with  a  Town  :  Seutlusa,  Narthecusa,  Dimastos,  and  Progne. 
Beyond  Gnidos,  Cicerussa,  Therionarce,  Calydne  with  three 
Towns,  Notium,  Nisyrus,  Mendeterus :  and  in  Arconesus, 
the  Town  Ceramus.  Upon  the  Coast  of  Caria,  the  Islands, 
twenty  in  number,  called  Argiae :  and  Hyetussa,  Lepsia,  and 
Leros.  But  the  most  noble  in  that  Bay  is  Cos,  which  is  dis- 
tant from  Halicarnassus  15  Miles;  and  in  Compass  100,  as 
many  judge;  called  Merope,  as  Staphylus  saith  :  but  accord- 
ing to  Dionysius,  Cos  Meropis :  and  afterwards  Nymphaea. 
There  is  the  Mountain  Prion :  and  as  they  think,  Nysiris 
broken  off;  formerly  named  Porphyris.  Beyond  this, 
Carianda,  with  a  Town:  and  not  far  from  Halicarnassus, 
Pidosus.  Moreover,  in  the  Gulf  Ceramicus,  Priaponnesus, 
Hipponesus,  Psyra,  Mya,  Lampsemandus,  Passala,  Crusa, 
Pyrrhe,  Sepiussa,  Melano ;  and  within  a  short  Distance  of 
the  Continent,  another  called  Ciuedopolis,  from  the  shameful 
Persons  that  King  Alexander  left  there.  The  Coast  of  Ionia 
hath  (the  Islands)  ^Egese  and  Corsese,  besides  Icaros,  spoken 
of  before.  Also  Lade,  formerly  called  Latse :  and  among 
some  others  of  no  worth,  the  two  Camelides  near  to  Miletus. 
Mycalenum,  Trogyliae,  Trepsilion,  Argennon,  Sardalion : 
and  the  free  Samos,  which  in  Circuit  is  fourscore  and  seven 
Miles;  or  as  Isidorus  thinketh,  100.  Aristotle  writeth, 
that  at  first  it  was  called  Parrhania,  afterwards  Dryusa,  and 
then  Anthemusa.  Aristocritus  giveth  it  other  Names,  as 
Melamphyllus,  and  afterward  Cyparissia :  others  term  it 
Partheno-arusa,  and  Stephane.  Rivers  in  it,  Imbrasus, 
Chesius,  and  Ibettes  :  Fountains,  Gigarto  and  Leucothea : 
the  Mountain  Cercetius.  There  lie  adjoining  to  it  the 
Islands  Rhypara,  Nymphaea,  and  Achillea.  Fourscore  and 
thirteen  Miles  from  it,  is  Chios,  free,  with  a  Town  ;  which 
Island  is  as  renowned  as  Samos.  jEphorus  by  the  ancient 
Name  calleth  it  jEthalia :  Metrodorvs  and  Cleobulus,  Chia, 
from  the  Nymph  Chio.  Others  suppose  it  was  so  called 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  93 

from  Chion,  i.  e.  Snow  :  and  some  would  have  it  to  be  Ma- 
cris  and  Pityusa.  It  has  a  Mountain  called  Pellenseus,  the 
Marble  called  Chium.  Ancient  Geographers  have  written, 
that  it  is  125  Miles  in  Circuit ;  and  Isidorus  addeth  nine 
more.  It  is  situated  between  Samos  and  Lesbos,  for  the  most 
part  opposite  to  Erythrae.  Near  it  lieth  Thallusa,  which  some 
write  Dapnusa,  QEnussa,  Elaphites,  Euryanassa,  Arginussa 
with  a  Town.  Now  all  these  are  about  Ephesus,  as  also 
those  called  of  Pisistratus :  and  the  Anthinae,  Myonnesus,  and 
Diareusa.  In  both  these  the  Towns  are  lost.  Poroselenae 
with  a  Town,  Cerciae,  Halone,  Commone,  Illetia,  Lepria, 
and  Rhespheria,  Procusae,  Bolbulae,  Phariae,  Priapos,  Syce, 
Melane,  ^Enare,  Sidusa,  Pela,  Drymusa,  Anydros,  Scopelos, 
Sycussa,  Marathussa,  Psile,  Perirheusa,  and  many  others  of 
no  Importance.  But  among  the  illustrious  is  Teos,  in  the 
deep  Sea,  with  a  Town :  distant  from  Chios  fourscore  and 
one  Miles,  and  as  much  from  Erythrae.  Near  Smyrna  are 
the  Peristerides,  Carteria,  Alopece,  Elaeussa,  Bachina,  Pys- 
tira,  Crommyonnesus,  and  Megale.  Before  Troas,  the  Asca- 
niae,  and  three  Plateae.  Then  the  Lainiae,  and  two  Plitaniae ; 
Plate,  Scopelos,  Getone,  Artheidon,  Celse,  Lagussae,  and 
Didymae.  But  the  most  illustrious  is  Lesbos,  which  is  from 
Chios  threescore  and  five  Miles.  It  was  called  Hemerte,  and 
Lasia,  Pelasgia,  ^Egira,  ^Ethyope,  and  Macaria :  famous  for 
eight  Towns ;  of  which  Pyrrha  is  swallowed  up  by  the  Sea : 
and  Arisbe  is  overthrown  by  an  Earthquake.  Methymna 
was  peopled  from  Antissa,  which  was  united  to  it,  and  in  it 
were  eight  Cities,  and  it  is  about  seven-and-thirty  Miles  from 
Asia.1  Also  Agamede  and  Hiera  have  perished.  There 
remain  Eresos,  Pyrrha,  and  the  free  Mitylenae,  which  hath 
continued  powerful  for  500  Years.  Isidorus  saith,  that  this 
Island  is  in  Circuit  173  Miles  :  but  the  old  Geographers,  195. 
In  it  are  these  Mountains,  Lepethymus,  Ordymnus,  Macistus, 
Creon,  and  Olympus.  It  is  distant  eight  Miles  and  a  half  from 
the  Continent,  where  it  lieth  nearest.  Islands  near  it,  Sauda- 
lion,  and  the  five  Leucse.  Of  these,  Cydonea  hath  a  Foun- 

1  Natolia. 


94  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  V. 


tain  of  hot  Water.  The  Argenussae  are  distant  from 
four  Miles.  Then  Phellusa  and  Pedua.  Outside  the  Helles- 
pont, over-against  the  Sigean  Coast,  lieth  the  Isle  Tenedus, 
called  sometimes  Leucophrys,  Phoenice,  and  Lyrnessos. 
From  Lesbos  it  is  six-and-fifty  Miles,  and  from  Sigaeum 
twelve  Miles  and  a  half. 

CHAPTER  XXXII. 

Hellespontus,  Mysia,  Phrygia,   Galatia,  Bithynia, 
Bosporus. 

THE  Hellespont  then  assumeth  its  Violence  and  over- 
cometh  the  Sea,  digging  a  Way  with  its  Eddies,  until  it  hath 
torn  away  Asia  from  Europe.  That  Promontory  we  have 
named  Trapeza,  ten  Miles  beyond  which  standeth  the  Town 
Abydum,  where  the  Straits  are  seven  Stadia  over.  Be- 
yond it  is  the  Town  Percote,  and  Lampsacum,  called  for- 
merly Pityusa  :  the  Colony  Parium,  which  Homer  called 
Adrastia.  The  Town  Priapos,  the  River  ./Esepus,  Zelia, 
Propontus  ;  as  the  Place  is  called  where  the  Sea  enlargeth 
itself.  The  River  Granicum,  the  Harbour  Artace,  where 
once  stood  a  Town.  Beyond  it  is  an  Island,  which  Alexander 
joined  to  the  Continent,  in  which  standeth  the  Town  Cyzi- 
cum,  founded  by  the  Milesians,  called  heretofore  Arconne- 
sos  ;  Dolionis,  and  Dindymis,  near  the  Top  of  which  is  the 
Mountain  Dindymus.  Presently  the  Towns  Placia,  Aviacos, 
Scylace  :  and  behind  them,  the  Mountain  Olympus,  called 
Msesius.  The  City  Olympena.  The  Rivers  Horisius  and 
Rhyndacus,  formerly  named  Lycus.  This  River  taketh  its 
Beginning  in  the  Lake  Artynia,  near  to  Miletopolis.  It 
receiveth  the  Marestos  and  many  others  ;  and  separateth 
Asia  from  Bithynia.  This  Region  was  called  Cronia  :  after- 
ward Thessalis,  then  Malianda  and  Strymonis.  These  (Na- 
tions) Homer  named  Halizones,  because  they  are  environed 
with  the  Sea.  There  was  a  very  great  City  named  Attusa. 
At  this  Day  there  are  fifteen  Cities,  among  which  is  Gordiu- 
come,  now  called  Juliopolis  ;  and  on  the  Coasts  Dascylos. 
Then  the  River  Gebes  :  and  within-land,  the  Town  Helgas, 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  95 

the  same  as  Germanicopolis,  known  also  by  another  Name 
Booscoate,  as  also  Apamea,  now  called  Myrtea  of  the  Colo- 
phonians.  The  River  Etheleum,  the  ancient  limit  of  Troas, 
and  where  Mysia  beginneth.  Afterwards  the  Gulf  into 
which  runneth  the  River  Ascanium,  the  Town  Bryllion. 
The  Rivers  Hylas  and  Cios,  with  a  Town  of  that  Name  : 
which  was  a  Place  of  Trade,  not  far  off  from  the  Inhabitants 
of  Phrygia,  and  built  by  the  Milesians  in  a  Place  called  As- 
cania  of  Phrygia.  And  therefore  we  cannot  do  better  than 
here  to  speak  of  that  Country.  Phrygia  spreadeth  out  above 
Troas  and  the  Nations  before  named,  from  the  Promontory 
Lectus  unto  the  River  Etheleus.  It  bordereth  on  the 
North  upon  part  of  Galatia,  southward  it  boundeth  on  Ly- 
caonia,  Pisidia,  and  Mygdonia ;  and  on  the  east  it  reacheth 
to  Cappadocia.  The  most  celebrated  Towns  besides  those 
before  spoken  of,  are  Ancyra,  Andria,  Celsense,  Colossae,  Ca- 
rina,  Cotiaion,  Ceranae,  Iconium,  and  Midaion.  Certain 
Authors  write,  that  out  of  Europe  have  passed  over  the 
Mysi,  Bryges,  and  Thyni,  from  whom  are  named  the  Mysi, 
Phryges,  and  Bithyni. 

At  the  same  time  I  think  it  good  to  write  also  of  Galatia, 
which  lying  higher  than  Phrygia,  possesseth  a  greater  part  of 
its  plain  Country,  and  the  former  Capital  of  it,  called  Gordium. 
They  who  inhabited  that  Quarter  were  sprung  from  the  Gauls, 
and  were  called  Tolistobogi,  Voturi,  and  Ambitui :  but  they 
that  occupied  the  Country  of  Maeonia  and  Paphlagonia  were 
named  Trocmi.  Cappadocia  is  spread  along  from  the  North 
and  East ;  and  the  most  plenteous  Tract  thereof  the  Tecto- 
sages  and  Teutobodiaci  kept  in  their  Possession.  And  thus 
much  for  these  Nations.  The  People  and  Tetrarchies  are  in 
all  a  hundred  and  ninety  and  five.  The  Towns:  of  the 
Tectosages,  Ancyra  :  of  the  Trocmi,  Tavium  :  of  the  Tolisto- 
bogians,  Pesinus.  Besides  these,  there  are  celebrated  the 
Attalenses,  Arasenses,  Comenses,  Dios-Hieronitse,  Lystreni, 
Neapolitani,  Oeandenses,  Seleucenses,  Sebasteni,  Timmonia- 
censes,  and  Tebaseni.  Galatia  extendeth  to  Gabalia  and 
Milyse  in  Pamphylia;  which  are  situated  about  Baris :  also 
Cyllanticum  and  Oroandicum,  a  Tract  of  Pisidia  :  likewise 


96  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  V. 

Obigene,  a  part  of  Lycaonia.  Rivers  there  are  in  it,  beside 
those  beforenamed,  Sangariura  and  Gall  as,  from  which  the 
Priests  of  the  Mother  of  the  Gods  were  named.  Now  to 
speak  of  what  remains  ori  the  Sea-coast :  inward  from  Cios 
is  Prusa  within  Bithynia ;  founded  by  Annibal  beneath 
Olympus.  From  Prusa  to  Nicaea,  five-and-twenty  Miles ; 
the  Lake  Ascanius  lying  between.  Then  Nicsea,  in  the  out- 
most part  of  the  Gulf  Ascanium,  which  before  was  called 
Olbia :  also  to  another  Prusa,  under  the  Mountain  Hippius. 
There  were  Pythopolis,  Parthenopolis,  and  Choryphanta. 
Now  there  are  upon  the  Sea-side  the  Rivers,  ^Esius,  Bryazon, 
Plataneus,  Areus,  Siros,  Gendos,  named  also  Chrysorrhoas. 
The  Promontory  on  which  stood  the  Town  Megaricum.  Then 
the  Gulf  which  was  called  Craspedites  ;  because  that  Town 
stood  as  it  were  in  a  Fold  of  it.  There  was  also  the  Town 
Astacum,  from  which  the  Bay  took  the  Name  of  Astacenus. 
There  was  also  the  Town  Libyssa,  where  now  rernaineth 
nothing  but  the  Tomb  of  Annibal.  In  the  inmost  part  of 
the  Gulf  is  the  very  handsome  Town  of  Bithynia,  called 
Nicomedia.  The  Promontory  Leucatas  which  encloseth  the 
Bay  of  Astarenus,  is  from  Nicomedia  forty-two  Miles  and 
a  half.  Being  past  this  Bay,  the  opposite  Shores  approach- 
ing together,  the  Straits  reach  as  far  as  to  the  Thracian  Bos- 
phorus.  Upon  these  Straits  standeth  the  Free  (City)  Chalce- 
don,  seventy-two  Miles  and  a  half  from  Nicomedia.  Formerly 
it  was  called  Procerastis :  then,  Compusa  :  afterwards,  the 
City  of  the  Blind ;  because  they  who  founded  it  were  so 
ignorant  as  not  to  give  a  preference  to  a  Place  seven  Stadia 
from  Byzantium,  so  much  more  favourable  in  every  respect. 
But  within-land,  in  Bithynia,  is  the  Colony  Apamena  :  also, 
the  Agrippenses,  Juliopolitse,  and  they  of  Bithynium.  The 
Rivers,  Syrium,  Lapsias,  Pharmicas,  Alces,  Crynis,  Lylaeus, 
Scopius,  Hieras,  which  parteth  Bithynia  from  Galatia.  Be- 
yond Chalcedon,  stood  Chrysopolis :  then,  Nicopolis,  of 
which  the  Gulf  still  retaineth  the  Name :  wherein  is  the 
Port  of  Amycus :  the  Promontory  Naulochum :  Estia, 
wherein  is  the  Temple  of  Neptune;  and  the  Bosphorus, 
half-a-mile  over,  which  now  again  parteth  Asia  from  Europe. 


BOOK  V.]  History  of  Nature.  97 

From  Chalcedon,  it  is  twelve  Miles  and  a  half.  There  begin 
the)  narrow  Straits,  where  it  is  eight  Miles  and  a  quarter 
over:  where  stood  the  Town  Philopolis.  All  the  Coasts 
are  inhabited  by  the  Thyni,  but  the  Inland  Parts  by 
the  Bithyni.  This  is  the  end  of  Asia,  and  of  282  Nations, 
which  are  reckoned  from  the  Gulf  of  Lycia  to  this  place. 
The  Space  of  the  Hellespont  and  Propontis  to  the  Thracian 
Bosphorus  containeth  in  Length  188  Miles,  as  we  have 
before  said.  From  Chalcedon  to  Sigeum,  by  the  computa- 
tion of  Isidorus,  it  is  372  Miles  and  a  half.  Islands  lying  in 
Propontis  before  Cyzicum  are  these ;  Elaphonnesus,  from 
whence  cometh  the  Cyzicen  Marble  ;  and  the  same  Isle  was 
called  Neuris,  and  Proconnesus.  Then  follow  Ophiusa, 
Acanthus,  Phoebe,  Scopelos,  Porphyrione,  and  Halone,  with 
a  Town.  Delphacia,  Polydora  :  Artaceeon,  with  the  Town. 
And  over-against  Nicomedia,  is  Dernonnesos :  likewise,  be- 
yond Heraclea,  over-against  Bithynia,  is  Thynnias,  which 
the  Barbarians  call  Bithynia.  There  is  also  Antiochia  :  and 
opposite  to  the  narrow  Straits  of  Rhyndacus,  Besbicos, 
eighteen  Miles  in  Circuit.  Also  there  is  Elsea,  two  Rho- 
dussae,  Erebinthus,  Magale,  Chalcitis,  and  Pityodes. 


VOL.  n. 


IN  THE  SIXTH   BOOK 


ABE    CONTAINED 
REGIONS,    NATIONS,  SEAS,  CITIES,  PORTS,  RIVERS,  WITH  THEIR 

DIMENSIONS;  AND  PEOPLE  THAT  ARE  OR  HAVE  BEEN  : — 


CHAP. 

1.  Pontus  Euxinus,  formerly  Ax- 

enus. 

2.  The   Nations  of  the   Paphla- 

gones  and  Cappadocians. 

3.  Cappadocia. 

4.  The  Nations   of  the  Country 

Themiscyra. 

5.  The    Region    Colchica.      The 

Achaei,  and  the  rest  in  that 
Tract. 

6.  Bosphorus     Cimmerius,     and 

Moeotis. 

7.  The  People  about  Mceotis. 

8.  The  Armenise,  both. 

9.  Armenia  the  Greater. 

10.  Albania,  Iberia. 

11.  The  Gates  Caucasise. 

12.  Islands  in  Pontus. 

13.  Nations    about    the    Scythian 

Ocean. 

14.  Media  and  the  Straits  Caspias. 

15.  Nations   about  the   Hircanian 

Sea. 

16.  Also  other  Nations  bordering 

upon  that  Country. 

17.  People  of  Scythia. 
.  The  River  Ga 


18 


ranges. 


19.  The  Nations  of  India. 

20.  The  River  Indus. 

21.  The  Arii,  and  the  Nations  bor- 

dering upon  them. 

22.  The  Island  Taprobane. 

23.  Capissene,  Carmania. 

24.  The  Persian  and  Arabian  Gulfs. 

25.  The  Island  Cassandrus,  and  the 

Kingdoms  of  the  Parthians. 

26.  Media,  Mesopotamia,  Babylon, 

Seleucia. 

27.  The  River  Tigris. 

28.  Arabia,    Nomades,    Nabathsei, 

Omani,  Tylos,  and  Ogyris, 
two  Islands. 

29.  The  Gulfs  of  the  Red  Sea,  the 

Troglodite     and    Ethiopian 
Seas. 

30.  Nations  of  strange  and  won- 

derful Shapes. 

31.  Islands  of  the  Ethiopian  Sea. 

32.  Of  the  Fortunate  Islands. 

33.  The    Division    of    the    Earth 

calculated  by  Measures. 

34.  A  Division  of  the  Earth  by 

Climates,     Lines     Parallel, 
and  Equal  Shadows. 


Towns  of  name,  195.  Nations  of  account,  566.  Famous  Rivers,  180. 
Notable  Mountains,  38.  Principal  Islands,  108.  Cities  and  Nations 
perished,  195.  In  sum,  there  are  rehearsed  in  this  Book,  of  other  Things, 
Histories  and  Observations,  2214. 


LATIN  AUTHORS  ABSTRACTED: 

M.  Agrippa,  Varro  Atacinus,  Cornelius  Nepos,  Hyginus,  Lu.  Vetus,  Mela 
Pomponius,  Domitius  Corbulo,  Licinius  Mutianus,  Claudius  Ccesar,  Aruntius 
Sebosus,  Fabricius  Thuscus,  T.  Livius,  Seneca,  Nigidius. 

FOREIGN  WRITERS: 

King  Juba,  Polybius,  Hecatceus,  Hellanicus,  Damastes,  Eudoxus,  jDicce- 
archus,  Beto,  Timosthenes,  Patrocles,  Demodamas,  Clitarchus,  Eratosthenes, 
Alexander  the  Great,  Ephorus,  Hipparchus,  Pancetius,  Cattimachus,  Artemi- 
dorus,  Apollodorus,  Agathocles,  Polybius,  Eumachus  Sicidus,  Alexander 
Polyhistor,  Amometus,  Metrudorus,  Posidonius,  Onesicritus,  Nearchus, 
Megasthenes,  Diognetus,  Aristocreon,  Bion,  Dialdon,  Simonides  the  Younger, 
Basiles,  and  Xenophon  Lampsacenus. 


THE  SIXTH  BOOK 


HISTORY    OF    NATURE. 


WRITTEN    BY 


C.  PLINIUS  SECUNDUS. 


CHAPTER  I. 
Pontus  Euxinus. 

[HE  Pontus  Euxinus,  named  in  old  time  Axenos, 
from  its  inhospitable  wildness,  is  spread  between 
Europe  and  Asia,  by  a  special  Envy  of  Nature, 
and  an  Eagerness  to  maintain  the  Sea  in  his 
greedy  and  endless  Appetite.  It  was  not  enough 
for  the  Ocean  to  have  environed  the  whole 
Earth,  and  to  have  taken  away  a  great  part  of  it,  with 
exceeding  Rage  ;  it  sufficed  not,  to  have  broken  through  the 
shattered  Mountains,  and  also  having  torn  Calpe1  from 
Africa,  to  have  swallowed  up  a  much  larger  space  than  it 
left  behind :  nor  to  have  poured  out  Propontis  through  the 
Hellespont,2  so  again  devouring  the  Land :  from  the  Bos- 
phorus  also  it  is  spread  abroad  into  a  large  Space  without 

1  Mouth  of  Gibraltar. 

2  The  ideas  of  the  ancients  appear  to  have  been  confounded  in  the  wide 


100  History  of  Nature.  [ BOOK  VI. 

being  satisfied,  until  they  are  very  wide,  and  the  Lake 
Moeotis  joiueth  its  ruin  to  them.  And  that  this  hath 
happened  in  spite  of  the  Earth,  appeareth  by  so  many 
Straits  and  such  narrow  Passages  of  opposing  nature, 
considering  that  at  the  Hellespont  the  Breadth  is  not 
above  875  Paces :  and  at  the  two  Bosphori  even  Oxen  easily 
pass  over :  and  hereupon  they  both  took  their  Name :  and  in 
this  disunion  appeareth  an  agreement  of  relationship.  For 
Cocks  may  be  heard  to  crow,  and  Dogs  to  bark  from  one 
Side  to  the  other :  and  by  the  interchange  of  Human  Speech 
Men  out  of  these  two  Worlds  may  talk  one  to  another  in 
continued  discourse,  if  the  Winds  do  not  carry  away  the 
Sound. 

Some  have  made  the  Measure  of  Pontus  from  the  Bos- 
phorus  to  the  Lake  Moeotis  to  be  1438  Miles.  But  Erato- 
sthenes reckoneth  it  less  by  one  hundred.  Agrippa  saith, 
that  from  Chalcedon  to  Phasis  is  a  thousand  Miles;  and 
onward  to  Bosphorus  Cimmerius,  360  Miles.  We  will  set 
down  in  general  the  Distances  of  Places  collected  in  our  own 
Days,  when  our  Armies  have  carried  on  War  even  in  the 
very  Mouth  of  the  Cimmerian  Strait. 

Beyond  the  Straits  of  the  Bosphorus  is  the  River 
Rhebas,  which  some  have  called  Rhoesus :  and  beyond  it, 
Psillis  :  the  Port  of  Calpas  ;  and  Sangarius,  one  of  the  prin- 
cipal Rivers :  it  ariseth  in  Phrygia,  receiveth  large  Rivers 
into  it,  and  amongst  the  rest  Tembrogius  and  Gallus.  The 
same  Sangarius  is  by  many  called  Coralius ;  from  which 
begin  the  Gulfs  Mariandini  and  the  Town  Heraclea,  situated 
upon  the  River  Lycus.  It  is  from  the  Mouth  of  Pontus 
200  Miles.  There  is  the  Port  Acone,  cursed  with  the 
poisonous  Aconitum  ;  and  the  Cave  Acherusia.  The  Rivers 
Pedopiles,  Callichorum,  and  Sonantes.  Towns,  Tium,  eight- 
and-thirty  Miles  from  Heraclea:  the  River  Bilis. 

expanse  of  the  ocean :  in  consequence,  probably,  of  the  creeping  manner 
of  their  navigation.  Homer  speaks  of — 

"  All  wide  Hellespont's  unmeasured  main." — Iliad,  b.  24. 

Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  101 

CHAPTER  II. 
The  Nation  of  the  Paphlagonians,  and  Cappadocians. 

BEYOND  this  River  Bilis  is  the  Nation  of  Paphlagonia, 
which  some  have  named  Pylaemenia,  and  it  is  enclosed  with 
Galatia  behind  it.  The  Town  Mastya  of  the  Milesians :  and 
next  to  it  Cromna.  In  this  quarter  the  Heneti  inhabit,  as 
Cornelius  Nepos  saitli,  from  whom  the  Veneti  in  Italy,  who 
bear  their  Name,  are  descended,  as  he  would  have  us  believe. 
The  Town  Sesamum,  which  is  now  called  Amastris.  The 
Mountain  Cytorus,  64  Miles  from  Tium.  The  Towns 
Cimolus  and  Stephane ;  the  River  Parthenius ;  the  Pro- 
montory Corambis,  which  reacheth  a  mighty  way  into 
the  Sea;  and  it  is  from  the  Mouth  of  the  Pontus  315 
Miles,  or  as  others  think,  350.  It  is  also  as  far  from  the 
(Strait)  Cimmerius,  or  as  some  would  rather  have  it,  312 
Miles  and  a  half.  A  Town  there  was  also  of  that  Name : 
and  another  beyond  it  called  Arminum  :  but  now  there  is  the 
Colony  Sinope,  16'4  Miles  from  Citorum.  The  River  Vare- 
tum ;  the  People  of  the  Cappadoces ;  the  Town  Gaziura, 
and  Gazelum  ;  the  River  Halys,  which,  issuing  out  of  the 
foot  of  Taurus,  passeth  through  Cataonia  and  Cappadocia. 
The  Towns,  Grangre,  Carissa  ;  the  Free  City  Amisum,  distant 
from  Sinope  130  Miles.  A  Gulf,  bearing  the  Name  of  this 
Town,  runneth  so  far  within  the  Land  that  it  seemeth  to 
make  Asia  almost  an  Island :  for  from  thence  through  th)e 
Continent  to  the  Gulf  Issicus  in  Cilicia,  is  not  above  200 
Miles.  In  all  which  Tract  there  are  no  more  than  three 
Nations  which  justly  may  be  called  Greeks:  which  are  the 
Dorians,  lonians,  and  ^Eolians :  for  all  the  rest  are  Bar- 
barians. To  Amisum  there  was  joined  the  Town  Eupa- 
toria,  founded  by  Mithridates  :  and  when  he  was  vanquished, 
both  together  took  the  Name  of  Pompeiopolis.1 

1  From  Pompey  the  Great,  who  conquered  him. —  Wern.  Club. 


102  History  of  Nature.  [Boot  VI. 

CHAPTKH  III. 
Cappadocia. 

IK  the  interior  of  Cappadocia  is  a  Colony  founded  bj 
Claudius  Ccesar,  called  Archelais,  situated  upon  the  River 
Halys.  The  Town  Comana,  by  which  the  (River)  Saras 
runneth  :  Neo-Caesarea,  washed  by  the  Lycas  :  and  Amasia, 
on  the  River  Iris,  in  the  Country  Gazacena.  In  Colopena, 
also,  are  Sebastia  and  Sebastopolis  :  little  Towns,  but  equal 
with  those  aboresaid.  In  the  other  part  (of  Cappadocia)  is 
the  City  Melita,  built  by  Queen  Semiramit,  not  far  from  the 
Euphrates:  also,  Dio-Caesarea,  Tyana,  Castabala,  Magno- 
polis,  Zela  :  and  under  the  Mountain  Argaeus,  Mazaca,  which 
now  is  named  Caesarea.  That  part  of  Cappadocia  which  lieth 
before  Armenia  the  Greater,  is  called  Melitene  :  that  which 
bordereth  upon  Comagene,  Cataonia:  upon  Phrygia,  Gar- 
sanritis  :  upon  Sargaurasana,  Cammanene  :  and  upon  Ga- 
latia,  Morimene.  And  there  the  River  Cappadox  separateth 
the  one  from  the  other.  From  this  River  the  Cappadocians 
took  their  Name,  having  formerly  been  called  Leucosyri. 
The  River  Lycas  divideth  the  above-named  new  Armenia 
from  Neo-Casarea.  Within  the  Country  there  runneth  also 
the  famous  Cerannus.  But  on  the  Coast  beyond  Amysmn  is 
the  Town  Lycastum,  and  the  River  Chadisia  :  and  still  fur- 
ther the  Country  Themiscyra.  The  River  Iris,  bringing 
down  the  Lycus.  In  the  midland  Parts  the  City  Ziela, 
ennobled  by  the  slaughter  of  Triarias,1  ami  the  Victory  of 
C.  Gesar.  In  the  Coast  the  River  Thermodon,  which 
issueth  from  before  a  Castle  named  Phanarcea,  and  passeth 


m 

defeated  by  the  enemy,  at  the  battle  of  Zida,  with  the  km  of  7000  of  his 
men.  And  at  the  same  place,  some  years  afterwards*  Julius  Cesar  gained 
an  important  victory  over  Pharnaees,  the  son  of  Mhhridatesy  deprived 
him  of  the  kingdom  of  Pontns,  and  entirely  mined  his  army.  It  ms  on 
this  occiaion  that  Caesar,  when  describing  the  rapidity  and  despatch  he 
had  employed  in  the  victory,  made  use  of  the  well-known  sentence, 
"  Yeni,  vidi,  via,"  I  came,  I  saw,  I  conquered.—  Wen.  Ckb. 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  103 

by  the  foot  of  the  Mountain  Amazonius.  There  was  a  Town 
of  the  same  Name,  and  five  others,  namely,  Phamizonium, 
Themiscyra,  Sotira,  Amasia,  Comana,  now  called  Manteium. 

CHAPTEB  IV. 
The  Nations  of  the  Region  Themiscyrene. 

THE  Nations  of  the  Genetae  and  Chalybes ;  a  Town  of  the 
Cotyi.  Nations  called  Tibareni ;  and  Mossyni,  who  mark 
their  Bodies  with  Figures.1  The  Nation  of  the  Macrocephali, 
the  Town  Cerasus,  the  Port  Cordalae.  The  Nations  Bechires  ; 
Buzeti ;  the  River  Melas.  The  Nation  Macrones,  Sideni, 
and  the  River  Sydenum,  upon  which  is  situated  the  Town 
Polemonium,  distant  from  Amisum  120  Miles:  beyond  this 
the  Rivers  Jasonius  and  Melanthius :  also  80  Miles  from 
Amisum,  the  Town  Pharnacea :  the  Castle  and  River  of 
Tripolis.  Also,  Philocalia,  and  Liviopolis  without  a  River: 
also,  the  Free  City  Trapezus,  environed  with  a  high  Moun- 
tain, 100  Miles  from  Pharnacea.  Beyond  Trapezus  is  the 
Nation  of  the  Armenochalybes,  and  Armenia  the  Greater : 
which  are  30  Miles  asunder.  On  the  Coast  is  the  River 
Pyxites  that  runneth  before  Trapezus:  and  beyond  it  the 
Nation  of  the  Sanni  Heniochi.  The  River  Absarus,  with  a 
Castle  likewise  so  named  in  its  Mouth  ;  from  Trapezus  is 
150  Miles.  Behind  the  Mountains  of  that  quarter  is  Iberia  : 
but  in  the  Coast  of  the  same  are  the  Heniochi,  Ampreutae, 
and  Lazi.  The  Rivers  Campseonysis,  Nogrus,  Bathys. 
The  Nations  of  the  Colchians ;  the  Town  Matium,  the 
River  Heracleum,  and  a  Promontory  of  the  same  Name ; 
and  the  most  renowned  (River)  of  Pontus,  called  Pkasis. 
This  River  riseth  out  of  the  Moschian  Mountains,  and  for 
38  Miles  and  a  half  is  Navigable  for  great  Vessels.  And 
then  for  a  great  way  it  carrieth  smaller  Vessels ;  having 

1  The  practice  of  tattooing  is  general  through  the  islands  of  the 
Southern  Ocean ;  the  inhabitants  of  which,  however,  were  not  known  to 
Pliny.  But  it  is  also  practised,  even  in  our  day,  by  the  people  of  Burma, 
and  perhaps  in  other  nations  of  the  East.  The  same  practice  is  again 
referred  to  in  b.  vii.  c.  11.— Wen.  Chb. 


104  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VI. 

over  it  120  Bridges.  It  had  many  Towns  upon  its  Banks; 
the  most  celebrated  being  Tyritacen,  Cygnus,  and  Phasis, 
situated  at  its  very  Mouth.  But  the  most  illustrious  was 
JE&,  fifteen  Miles  from  the  Sea :  where  Hippos  and  Cyanos, 
two  very  great  Rivers,  coming  from  different  Parts,  flow  into 
it.  Now  it  possesseth  Surium  only,  which  taketh  its  Name 
from  the  River  Surium,  that  runneth  into  it.  And  thus  far 
we  said  that  Phasis  was  capable  of  being  navigated  by  great 
Ships.  And  it  receiveth  other  Rivers,  remarkable  for  size 
and  number,  among  which  is  the  River  Glaucus.  In  the 
Mouth  of  this  River  (Phasis)  there  are  Islands  without  a 
Name.  It  is  distant  from  Bsarus  75  Miles.  Being  past 
Phasis,  there  is  another  River  called  Charien  ;  the  Nation  of 
the  Salae,  named  in  old  Time  Phthirophagi  and  Suani ;  the 
River  Cobus,  which  issueth  out  of  Caucasus,  and  runneth 
through  the  Country  of  the  Suani.  Then  Rhoas  ;  the  region 
Ecrectice  :  the  Rivers  Sigania,  Tersos,  Atelpos,  Chrysorrhoas, 
and  the  Nation  Absilae:  the  Castle  Sebastopolis,  a  hundred 
Miles  from  Phasis;  the  Nation  of  the  Sanigares,  the  Town 
Cygnus,  the  River  and  Town  called  Pityus.  And  last  of  all, 
the  Nations  of  the  Heniochae,  which  have  many  Names. 

CHAPTER  V. 

The  Region  of  Colchis,  the  Ached,  and  other  Nations  in 
that  Tract. 

NEXT  followeth  the  region  of  Colchis,  which  is  likewise 
in  Pontus :  wherein  the  craggy  Summits  of  the  Caucasus 
wind  and  turn  toward  the  Rhiphaean  Mountains,  as  hath  been 
hinted  ;  on  the  one  side  bending  down  toward  the  Euxinus 
and  Moeotis ;  and  on  the  other  inclining  to  the  Caspian  and 
Hircanian  Seas.  The  remainder  of  the  Coasts  are  occupied  by 
savage  Nations, as  the  Melanchlseni,  the  Choruxi;  Dioscurias, 
a  City  of  the  Colchi,  near  the  River  Anthemus,  now  lying 
waste,  although  it  was  so  renowned  in  Time  past,  that  by  the 
report  of  Timosthenes  there  were  settled  therein  300  Nations 
which  used  distinct  Languages.  And  afterwards  our  Ro- 
mans were  forced  to  provide  130  Interpreters  for  the  Traffic 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  105 

with  this  People.  Some  think  that  it  was  first  founded  by 
A.mphitus  and  Telc/iius,  who  had  the  charge  of  the  Chariots 
of  Castor  and  Pollux  :a  for  certain  it  is,  that  the  fierce  Nation 
of  the  Heniochi  are  from  them  descended.  Being  past 
Dioscurias,  there  is  the  Town  Heraclium,  which  from  Sebas- 
topolis  is  80  Miles  distant.  The  Achaei,  Mardi,  and  Car- 
cetse  :  after  them  the  Serri,  and  Cephalotomi.  Far  within 
that  Tract  stood  the  very  wealthy  Town  Pitius,  which  by  the 
Heniochians  was  plundered.  On  the  back  part  thereof 
inhabit  the  Epageritse,  a  People  of  the  Sarmatse,  upon  the 
tops  of  the  Caucasus :  after  which  the  Sauromatse.  Hither 
had  fled  King  Mithridates  in  the  time  of  Prince  Claudius, 
and  he  made  report  that  the  Thali  dwell  thereby,  and  border 
Eastward  upon  the  very  opening  of  the  Caspian  Sea :  which 
becometh  Dry  when  the  Sea  ebbeth.  But  on  the  Coast 
near  to  the  Cercetse  is  the  River  Icarusa,  with  a  Town  and 
River  called  Hierum,  136  Miles  from  Heracleum.  Then 
come  ye  to  the  Promontory  Cronea,  in  the  steep  Ridge 
of  which  the  Toretse  inhabit.  The  City  Sindica,  67  Miles 
from  Hierum  :  the  River  Sceaceriges. 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Mcsotis  and  the  Bosphorus  Cimmerius. 

FROM  the  above-said  River  to  the  Entrance  of  the  Cim- 
merian Bosphorus  is  88  Miles  and  a  half.  But  the  Length 
of  the  Peninsula  itself,  which  stretcheth  out  between  the 
Lakes  Pontus  and  Moeotis  is  not  above  87  Miles,  and  the 
Breadth  in  no  place  less  than  two  Acres  of  Land.  They  call 
it  Eione.  The  very  Coasts  of  the  Bosphorus,  both  of  Asia 
and  Europe,  are  curved  towards  the  Mceotis.  The  Towns  in 

1  There  is  frequently  occasion  to  remark,  that  Pliny  speaks  of  the 
deities  of  his  country,  as  if  it  was  an  acknowledged  fact  that  they  were 
once  living  men.  ^Eolus,  Hercules,  and  even  Jupiter,  are  so  regarded ; 
and  as  he  speaks  of  the  impiety  of  this  opinion,  b.  vii.  c.  47,  when  applied 
to  some  particular  cases,  we  are  at  liberty  to  believe  that  his  regard  for 
the  established  heathenism  of  his  country  was  exceedingly  slight. — 
Wern.  Club. 


106  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VI. 

the  very  first  Passage  of  Bosphorus  are  Hermonassa  and  then 
Cepi,  founded  by  the  Milesians.  Close  by  is  Stratilia  (or 
Stratoclea),  Phanagoria,  and  Apaturos,  which  is  almost  un- 
peopled:  and  last  of  all,  in  the  mouth,  Cimmerius,  formerly 
called  Cerberian. 

CHAPTER  VII. 

Nations  about  Moeotis. 

BEYOND  Cimmerium  is  the  Lake  Moeotis,  spoken  of  be- 
fore in  Europe.  Beyond  Cimmerium  inhabit  the  Mceotici, 
Vati,  Serbi,  Archi,  Zingi,  and  Psesii.  After  this  you  come 
to  the  River  Tanais,  which  runneth  with  two  Mouths :  and 
on  the  sides  of  it  dwell  the  Sarmatae,  descended,  as  they  say, 
from  the  Medi:  but  themselves  divided  into  many  Races. 
And  first  the  Sauromatae,  surnamed  Gynaecocratumeni,  from 
whence  the  Amazons  are  provided  with  Husbands.  Next  to 
them  are  the  Euazae,  Cottse,  Cicimeni,  Messeniani,  Costo- 
bocci,  Choatrae,  Zigae,  Dandari,  Thussageae,  and  Turese,  even 
as  far  as  the  Wilderness,  rough  with  woody  Valleys.  Be- 
yond them  are  the  Arimphaei,  who  live  upon  the  Riphsean 
Mountains.  The  Tanais  itself  the  Scythians  call  Silys  ;  and 
Moeotis  they  name  Temerinda,1  that  is  to  say,  the  Mother  of 
the  Sea.  There  stood  also  a  Town  at  the  mouth  of  Tanais. 
The  Lares  first  inhabited  the  Borders :  afterwards  the  Clazo- 
menii  and  Mceones:  and  in  process  of  time  the  Panti- 
capenses.  Some  Authors  write,  that  about  Moeotis  toward 
the  higher  Mountains  Ceraunii,  the  following  Nations  inhabit 
on  the  Coast,  the  Napaeae :  and  above  them  the  Essedones, 
joining  on  the  Colchi,  and  the  tops  of  the  Mountains.  After 
them  the  Carmacae,  the  Orani,  Antacse,  Mazacae,  Ascantici, 
Acapeatae,  Agagammatae,  Phycari,  Rhimosoli,  and  Asco- 

1  It  is  easy  to  discern  that  many  of  the  names  of  nations  mentioned 
by  Pliny  are  not  those  which  the  people  themselves  would  have  recog- 
nised; but  Greek  descriptive  designations.  But  the  word  "  Temerinda" 
is  believed  to  have  been  "  Scythian,"  and  to  be  rightly  interpreted  by  the 
author.  Daleschamp  supposes  the  true  expression  to  be  "  Themers-end," 
or,  in  modern  terms,  "  Dess-maers-end." — Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  107 

marci ;  and  on  the  Tops  of  Caucasus,  the  Icatalae,  Imaduchi, 
Rani,  Anclacae,  Tydii,  Charastasci,  and  Asuciandae.  Along 
the  River  Lagoiis,  issuing  out  of  the  Mountains  Cathei,  and 
into  which  Opharus  runneth,  are  these  Nations :  the  Cau- 
cadse  and  the  Opharitae :  the  River  Menotharus,  and  Iruitues 
divided  from  the  Mountains  Cissii,  which  passeth  among  the 
Agedi,  Carnapae,  Gardei,  Accisi,  Gabri,  and  Gregari :  and 
about  the  source  of  this  River  Imitues,  the  Imitui  and  Apar- 
theni.  Others  say  that  the  Suitse,  Auchetse,  Satarnei,  and 
Asampatse,  overflowed  this  Part ;  the  Tanaitae  and  Ne- 
pheonitae  were  slain  by  them  to  a  Man.  Some  write,  that 
the  River  Opharius  runneth  through  the  Canteci  and  the 
Sapaei:  and  that  the  River  Tanais  traversed  through  the 
Phatarei,  Herticei,  Spondolici,  Synthietae,  Amassi,  Issi, 
Catazeti,  Tagori,  Catoni,  Neripi,  Agandei,  Mandarei,  Satur- 
chei,  and  Spalei. 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
Cappadocia. 

WE  have  gone  through  the  Nations  and  Inhabitants  of 
the  Coasts  of  the  Mediterranean  Sea.  Now  are  we  to  speak 
of  the  People  inhabiting  the  Inland  Parts :  wherein  I  shall 
advance  many  things  different  from  the  ancient  Geographers : 
because  I  have  made  diligent  Search  into  the  state  of  those 
Regions,  especially  by  enquiry  of  Domitius  Corbulo,  in  regard 
of  the  things  done  by  himself,  and  also  of  the  Kings  who 
came  from  thence  as  Petitioners,  and  of  those  King's  Sons 
that  were  Hostages.  And  we  will  begin  with  the  Nation  of 
the  Cappadocians.  This  is  a  Country  that  of  all  which  bound 
upon  Pontus,  reacheth  farthest  within  the  Land  :  for  on  the 
left  Hand  it  passeth  by  the  Greater  and  Less  Armenia,  and 
Comagene :  and  on  the  right,  all  those  Nations  in  Asia 
before-named  :  being  overflowed  with  a  Multitude  of  People : 
and  with  great  Might  climbing  up  Eastward  to  the  Tops  of 
Taurus,  it  passeth  Lycaonia,  Pisidia,  and  Cilicia  :  and  with 
that  quarter  which  is  called  Cataonia,  it  pierceth  above  the 
Tract  of  Antiochia,  and  reacheth  as  far  as  to  its  Region  Cyr- 


108  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  VI. 

rhestica.     And  therefore  the  Length  of  Asia  there  may  con- 
tain 1250  Miles,  and  the  Breadth  640. 

CHAPTER  IX. 
Armenia,  the  Greater  and  Less. 

THE  Greater  Armenia,  beginning  at  the  Mountains  Pa- 
riedri,  is  divided  from  Cappadocia  by  the  River  Euphrates,  as 
hath  been  said  before :  and  where  the  River  Euphrates 
turneth,  from  Mesopotamia  by  the  River  Tigris,  scarcely  less 
renowned  than  the  other.  It  poureth  forth  both  these  Rivers, 
and  constitutes  the  beginning  of  Mesopotamia,  which  is  situ- 
ated between  them  both.  The  Land  which  lieth  between  is 
possessed  by  the  Arabs  Orei.  In  this  manner  it  extendeth  its 
Border  to  Adiabene.  Beyond  this,  being  hemmed  in  with 
Mountains  that  stand  across  it,  it  spreadeth  its  Breadth  on 
the  left  Hand  to  the  River  Cyrus  :  and  then  across  to  the 
River  Araxes :  but  it  carrieth  its  Length  to  the  Lesser  Ar- 
menia, being  separated  from  it  by  the  River  Absarus,  which 
falleth  into  the  Pontus  :  and  by  the  Mountains  Pariedri,  from 
which  the  River  Absarus  issueth.  The  River  Cyrus  springeth 
in  the  Mountains  Heniochii,  which  some  have  called  Co- 
raxici.  The  Araxes  issueth  out  of  the  same  Mountain  from 
whence  Euphrates  cometh,  and  there  is  not  above  the  Space 
of  six  Miles  between  them.  This  River  Araxes  is  augmented 
with  the  River  Musis ;  and  then  itself  loseth  its  Name,  and,  as 
most  have  thought,  is  carried  by  the  River  Cyrus  into  the  Cas- 
pian Sea.  These  Towns  are  famous  in  the  Lesser  (Armenia) ; 
Csesarea,  Aza,  and  Nicopolis.  In  the  Greater  is  Arsamote, 
near  the  River  Euphrates ;  and  Carcathiocerta,  upon  the 
Tigris.  In  the  higher  Country  is  Tigranocerta,  but  in  the 
Plain,  near  the  Araxes,  Artaxata.  Aufidius  saith,  that  both 
the  Armenia  contain  in  all  500  Miles.  Claudius  Ccesar 
reporteth,  that  in  Length  from  Dascusa  to  the  Confines  of 
the  Caspian  Sea  is  1300  Miles,  and  in  Breadth  half  as  much, 
from  Tigranocerta  to  Iberia.  This  is  well  known,  that  it  is 
divided  into  Prefectures,  which  they  call  Strategic  ;  and 
some  of  them  in  old  time  were  as  large  as  Kingdoms  :  the 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  109 

Number  being  120,  with  barbarous  Names.  It  is  enclosed 
Eastward  with  Mountains,  but  neither  the  Ceraunii,  nor  the 
Region  Adiabene,  do  immediately  border  on  it.  The  Country 
of  the  Sopherii  lieth  between  :  next  are  the  Mountains  Ce- 
raunii; and  beyond  them  dwell  the  Adiabeni.  But  through 
the  flat  Valleys  the  next  Neighbours  to  Armenia  are  the 
Menobardi  and  Moscheni.  The  River  Tigris  and  steep 
Mountains  encompass  Adiabene.  On  the  left  Hand  its 
Region  is  of  the  Medians,  and  the  Prospect  of  the  Caspian 
Sea.  This  is  poured  in  from  the  Ocean  (as  we  shall  shew  in 
its  place),  and  is  enclosed  wholly  within  the  Mountains  of 
Caucasus.  We  will  now  speak  of  the  Inhabitants  of  these, 
through  the  Confine  of  Armenia. 

CHAPTER  X. 
Albania  and  Iberia. 

THE  Nation  of  the  Albani  inhabit  all  the  plain  Country 
from  the  River  Cyrus.  Beyond  it  is  the  Region  of  the  Iberes, 
who  are  separated  from  the  Albani  by  the  River  Alazon, 
which  runneth  down  from  the  Caucasian  Mountains  into  the 
Cyrus.  The  strong  Towns  of  Albania  :  Cabalaca  ;  of  Iberia, 
Harmastis,  near  the  River  Neoris :  the  Region  Thasie,  and 
Triare,  as  far  as  to  the  Mountains  Partedori.  Beyond  them 
are  the  Deserts  of  Colchis :  and  on  the  side  of  them  which 
lieth  toward  the  Ceraunii  the  Armenochalybes  inhabit:  and 
the  Tract  of  the  Moschi  to- the  River  Iberus,  that  floweth  into 
the  Cyrus.  Beneath  them,  inhabit  the  Sacassani,  and  beyond 
them  the  Macrones,  who  reach  to  the  River  Absarus.  Thus 
the  Plain  and  the  hanging  of  the  Hills  are  inhabited.  Again, 
from  the  Frontiers  of  Albania,  in  all  the  front  of  the  Moun- 
tains are  the  savage  Nations  of  the  Sylvi ;  and  beneath  them, 
of  the  Lubieni,  and  so  forward  the  Diduri,  and  Sodii. 

CHAPTER  XI. 
The  Gates  of  the  Caucasus. 

BEYOND  the  Sodii  are  the  Gates  of  Caucasus,  which  many 
have  very  erroneously  called  Caspise  Portse,  or  the  Caspian 


110  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VI. 

Gates :  a  mighty  Piece  of  Nature's  Work,  by  suddenly  cleav- 
ing asunder  those  Mountains,  where  the  Gates  were  barred 
up  with  iron  Bars,  whilst  under  the  midst  thereof,  the  River 
Dyriodorus  runneth  :  and  on  this  Side  of  it  standeth  a  formi- 
dable Castle  called  Cumania,  situated  upon  a  Rock,  able  to 
arrest  the  Passage  of  a  very  numerous  Army;  so  that  in  this 
Place,  by  means  of  these  Gates,  one  Part  of  the  World  is 
excluded  from  the  other  :  and  chiefly  over-against  Harmastis, 
a  Town  of  the  Iberi.  Beyond  the  Gates  of  Caucasus,  through 
the  Mountains  Gordyei,  the  Valli  and  Suarni,  uncivilised 
Nations,  are  employed  only  in  the  Mines  of  Gold.  Beyond 
them  as  far  as  to  the  Pontic  Sea,  are  many  Races  of  the 
Heniochi ;  and  soon  after,  of  the  Achaei.  And  thus  much 
concerning  this  Tract  of  the  Lands  among  the  most  re- 
nowned. Some  have  set  down,  that  between  Pontus  and  the 
Caspian  Sea,  it  is  not  above  375  Miles.  Cornelius  Nepos 
saith  it  is  but  150;  into  such  Straits  is  Asia  driven  again. 
Claudius  Ccesar  hath  reported,  that  from  the  Cimmerian 
Bosphorus  to  the  Caspian  Sea,  is  150  Miles;  and  that  Seleucus 
Nicator  purposed  to  cut  the  Land  through,  at  the  Time 
when  he  was  slain  by  Ptolomceus  Ceraunus.  It  is  almost 
certain,  that  from  the  Gates  of  Caucasus  to  Pontius  is 
200  Miles. 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Islands  in  the  Pontus. 

IN  Pontus  lie  the  Islands  Planctae,  otherwise  Cyaneae  or 
Symplegades.  Then  Apollonia,  named  also  Thynnias,  for 
Distinction  sake  from  that  other  so  named  in  Europe  :  it  is 
from  the  Continent  one  Mile,  and  in  Circuit  three.  And 
over-against  Pharnacea  is  Chalceritis,  which  the  Greeks 
called  Aria,  sacred  to  Mars ;  wherein  are  Birds  which  fight 
with  a  Blow  of  their  Wings  against  others  that  come 
thither. 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

Nations  on  the  Scythian  Ocean. 

HAVING  thus  discoursed  of  all  the  Countries  in  the  inte- 
rior of  Asia,  let  us  now  determine  to  pass  over  the  Rhiphaean 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  Ill 

Mountains,  and  discover  the  Coasts  of  the  Ocean  which  lie 
on  the  right  hand.  Asia  is  washed  by  this  Ocean  on  three 
Sides :  on  the  North  Side  is  the  Scythian :  on  the  East  it  is 
called  Eb'us :  and  from  the  South  they  name  it  the  Indian. 
And  according  to  the  various  Gulfs,  and  the  Inhabitants,  it  is 
divided  into  many  Names.  But  a  great  part  of  Asia  toward 
the  North  hath  in  it  extensive  Wildernesses,  by  reason  of  the 
violence  of  its  frozen  Star.  From  the  extreme  North  to  the 
North-east  are  the  Scythians.  Beyond  whom,  and  the  very 
point  of  the  North  Pole,  some  have  placed  the  Hyperborei ; 
of  whom  we  have  spoken  at  large  in  the  Treatise  of  Europe. 
The  first  Promontory  that  you  meet  with  in  the  Country 
Celtica  is  named  Lytarmis :  and  then  the  River  Carambucis, 
where,  by  the  forcible  influence  of  the  Stars,  the  Mountains 
Rhiphaei  are  deprived  of  their  ragged  Tops.  And  there  we 
have  heard  that  there  are  a  People  named  Arimphaei :  a 
Nation  not  much  unlike  the  Hyperborei.  They  have  their 
Habitations  in  Forests  ;  their  Food  is  Berries  ;  both  Women 
and  Men  count  it  a  shame  to  have  Hair ;  mild  in  their  man- 
ners; and  therefore,  by  report,  they  are  held  to  be  sacred, 
and  to  be  inviolable  even  by  those  wild  People  that  dwell 
near  them  ;  neither  do  they  respect  them  only,  but  also  those 
who  fly  to  them.  At  some  distance  beyond  them  are  the 
Scythians,1  as  well  the  Cimmerii,  Cicianthi,  and  Georgi ; 
and  the  Nation  of  the  Amazons.  These  reach  to  the  Caspian 
and  Hircanian  Sea :  for  it  breaketh  forth  from  the  Scythian 
Ocean,2  toward  the  back  parts  of  Asia,  and  is  called  many 
Names  by  the  neighbouring  Inhabitants,  but  especially  by 
two  of  the  most  celebrated,  the  Caspian  and  Hircanian. 
Clitarchus  is  of  opinion  that  this  Sea  is  full  as  great  as  the 

1  At  this  day,  the  Moschovites,  white  and  black  Russians,  Georgians, 
Amazonians,  and  the  less  Tartary. —  Wern.  Club. 

2  Strabo  (lib.  xi.)  entertains  the  same  erroneous  opinions  respecting 
the  Caspian  Sea.    That  both  these  intelligent  writers,  as  well  as  other 
ancient  geographers,  should  have  been  so  mistaken  is  the  more  extraor- 
dinary, as  Herodotus  (lib.  i.  203)  had  given  a  just  description  of  it  long 
before.    "  The  Caspian  Sea,"  he  says,  "is  a  sea  of  itself,  which  does  not 
mingle  with  any  other." — Wern.  Club. 


112  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VI. 

Pontus  Euxinus.  And  Eratosthenes  setteth  down  the  mea- 
sure of  it  as  being  from  East  to  South,  along  the  Coast  of 
Cadusia  and  Albania,  5400  Stadia :  from  thence  by  the 
Aratiatici,  Amarbi,  and  Hircanii,  to  the  mouth  of  the  River 
Zonus,  4800  Stadia :  from  it  to  the  mouth  of  the  Jaxartes, 
2400  Stadia:  which  being  put  together  amount  to  1575 
Miles.  Artemidorus  counteth  less  by  25  Miles.  Agrippa,  in 
limiting  the  Circuit  of  the  Caspian  Sea,  and  the  Nations 
around  it,  and  Armenia  with  them,  from  the  East  with  the 
Ocean  of  the  Seres,  Westward  with  the  Mountains  of  Cau- 
casus, on  the  South  side  with  the  Mountain  Taurus,  and  on 
the  North  with  the  Scythian  Ocean,  hath  written,  That  the 
whole,  so  far  as  is  known,  may  contain  in  Length  590  Miles, 
and  290  in  Breadth.  There  want  not  others  who  say,  That 
the  whole  Circuit  of  that  Sea,  from  the  Strait  is  2500  Miles. 
This  throat  is  very  narrow  where  it  bursts  forth,  but  exceed- 
ingly long  :  but  where  it  beginrieth  to  enlarge  it  fetcheth  a 
Compass  withlunated  Horns,  and  after  the  manner  of  a  Scy- 
thian Bow,  as  M.  Varro  saith,  it  windeth  along  from  its 
Mouth  toward  the  Lake  Moeotis.  The  first  Gulf  is  called 
Scythicus ;  for  the  Scythians  inhabit  on  both  Sides,  and  by 
means  of  the  narrow  Straits  between  have  business  one  with 
another :  for  on  one  side  are  the  Nomades  and  Sauromatse, 
with  many  Names :  and  on  the  other,  the  Abzoae,  who  have 
no  fewer  denominations.  At  the  entry  of  this  Sea  on  the 
right  hand,  the  Udini,  a  People  of  the  Scythians,  dwell 
upon  the  very  point  of  these  Straits :  and  then  along  the 
Coast,  the  Albani,  descended  (as  they  say)  from  Jason; 
where  the  Sea  that  lieth  before  them  is  called  Albanum. 
This  Nation  is  spread  also  upon  the  Mountains  of  Caucasus 
to  the  River  Cyrus,  and  descendeth,  as  hath  been  said,  to  the 
border  of  Armenia  and  Iberia.  Above  the  Maritime  Coasts 
of  Albania  and  the  Nation  of  the  Udini,  the  Sarmatae,  called 
Utidorsi,  and  Atoderes,  are  planted  :  and  behind  them  the 
Sauromatides,  Amazons,  already  pointed  out.  The  Rivers  of 
Albania,  which  fall  into  the  Sea,  are  Cassios  and  Albanos : 
and  then  Carnbises,  which  hath  its  Head  in  the  Caucasian 
Mountains  :  and  soon  after  Cyrus,  which  ariseth  out  of  the 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  113 

Mountains  Corax,  as  is  before  said.  Agrippa  write th  that 
this  whole  Coast,  from  the  lofty  and  inaccessible  Mountains 
of  Caucasus,  cpntaineth  425  Miles.  Beyond  the  Cyrus,  the 
Caspian  Sea  beginneth  to  take  that  Name ;  and  the  Caspii 
dwell  there.  And  here  the  error  of  many  is  to  be  corrected, 
even  of  those  who  were  lately  with  Corbulo  in  Armenia  with 
the  Army  :  for  they  called  those  Gates  of  Caucasus,  of  which 
we  spoke  before,  the  Caspian  Gates  of  Iberia :  and  the  Maps 
and  Descriptions  which  are  painted  and  sent  from  thence, 
have  that  Name  written  on  them.  Likewise  the  threatening 
of  Prince  Nero,  when  he  sought  to  gain  those  Gates,  which 
through  Iberia  lead  into  Sarmatia,  made  mention  of  the 
Gates  Caspiee ;  which  had  scarcely  any  Passage  by  reason 
of  the  Mountains  so  closely  approaching  each  other.  There 
are  other  Gates  near  the  Caspian  Sea,  that  join  upon  the 
Caspian  Nations,  which  could  not  have  been  distinguished 
from  the  other  but  by  the  relation  of  those  that  accompanied 
Alexander  the  Great  in  his  Expeditions.  For  the  Kingdoms 
of  the  Persians,  which  at  this  day  we  take  to  be  those  of 
the  Parthians,  are  elevated  between  the  Persian  and  Hir- 
canian  Seas  upon  the  Mountains  of  Caucasus  ;  in  the  Descent 
of  which  on  both  sides  bordering  upon  Armenia  the  Greater, 
and  on  that  part  of  the  front  which  vergeth  to  Comagene,  it 
joineth  (as  we  have  said)  with  Sephenise :  and  upon  it  bor- 
dereth  Adiabene,  the  beginning  of  the  Assyrians  :  Arbelitis, 
which  is  nearest  to  Syria,  is  a  part  of  this :  where  Alexander 
vanquished  Darius.  All  this  Tract  the  Macedonians  surnamed 
Mygdonia,1  from  its  resemblance.  The  Towns  Alexandria ; 
and  Antiochia,  which  they  call  Nisibis :  from  Artaxata  it  is 
750  Miles.  There  was  also  Ninus,2  seated  upon  the  Tigris, 
looking  towards  the  West,  and  in  Times  past  highly  re- 
nowned. But  on  the  other  Side,  where  it  lieth  toward  the 
Caspian  Sea,  the  Region  Atropatene,  separated  by  the  River 
Araxes  from  Oten£  in  Armenia  :  its  City,  Gazse,  is  450  Miles 

1  From  its  resemblance  to  a  part  of  Greece  of  that  name,  with  which 
they  were  well  acquainted. —  Wern.  Club. 
*  The  ancient  Nineveh.—  Wern.  Club. 

VOL.  II.  I 


114  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VI. 

from  Artaxata :  and  as  many  from  Ecbatana  of  the  Medes, 
some  part  of  which  the  Atropateni  hold. 

CHAPTER  XIV. 

Media,  and  the  Gates  Caspia. 

ECBATANA,  the  head  of  Media,  was  founded  by  King 
Seleucus :  and  it  is  from  Seleucia  the  Great  750  Miles :  and 
from  the  Caspian  Gates  20.  The  other  Towns  of  the  Medes 
are  Phausia,  Agamzua,  and  Apamia,  named  also  Rhaphane. 
The  Straits  there,  (called  the  Caspian  Gates,)  have  the  same 
reason  for  being  so  named  as  the  other  (by  Caucasus) ;  be- 
cause the  Mountains  are  broken  through  with  so  narrow 
a  Passage,  that  hardly  a  single  line  of  Carts  is  able  to  pass 
it  for  the  Length  of  Eight  Miles  :  and  all  done  by  the  hand 
of  Man.  The  Cliffs  that  hang  over  on  the  right  Side  and  on 
the  left  are  as  if  they  were  scorched  :  through  a  silent  Tract 
of  38  Miles  ;  for  all  the  Moisture  running  together  out  of 
those  Cliffs,  and  pouring  through  the  Straits,  obstructs  the 
Passage.  Besides,  the  Multitude  of  Serpents  prevents  Tra- 
velling except  in  Winter. 

CHAPTER  XV. 

Nations  about  the  Hircanian  Sea. 

UNTO  Adiabene  are  joined  the  Carduchi,  so  called  in 
Times  past,  and  now  Cordueni ;  along  which  the  Tigris 
runneth ;  and  on  them  the  Pratitse  border,  called  also  Pare- 
doni,  who  hold  the  Caspian  Gates.  On  the  other  side  of 
whom  you  meet  with  the  Deserts  of  Parthia,  and  the  Moun- 
tains of  Cithenus :  and  beyond  these  is  the  most  pleasant 
Tract  of  the  same  Parthia,  called  Choara.  There  stand  two 
Cities  of  the  Parthians,  formerly  opposed  against  the  Me- 
dians :  namely,  Calliope  ;  and  Issatis,  situated  in  times  past 
upon  another  Rock.  The  Capital  of  Parthia  itself,  lleca- 
tompylos,  is  from  the  (Caspian)  Gates  133  Miles.  Thus  the 
Kingdoms  of  the  Parthians  are  shut  up  by  Doors.  When 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  115 

passed  out  of  these  Gates,  presently  we  enter  on  the  Cas- 
pian Nation,  which  reacheth  as  far  as  the  Sea-shore,  and 
gave  the  Name  to  the  Gates  and  the  Sea.  The  left  hand  is 
full  of  Mountains :  and  from  this  Nation  backward  to  the 
River  Cyrus,  is  by  report  220  Miles.  From  that  River,  if 
you  would  go  higher  up  to  the  Gates,  it  is  700  Miles.  And 
from  this  starting-place  began  Alexander  to  reckon  his 
Journeys:  making  from  those  Gates  to  the  Entrance  of 
India,  15,680  Stadia :  from  thence  to  the  Town  of  Bactra, 
which  they  call  Zariaspa,  3700,  and  thence  to  the  River 
Jaxartes  five  Miles. 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

Other  Nations  also. 

FROM  the  Caspian  Country  eastward,  lieth  the  Region 
called  ZapanorteneV  and  in  it  Daricum,  a  place  celebrated 
for  Fertility.  Then  come  the  Nations  of  the  Tapyri,  Anariaci, 
Stauri,  and  Hircani,  at  whose  Coasts  the  same  Sea  beginneth 
to  take  the  Name  Hircanum,  from  the  River  Syderis.  About 
it  are  the  Rivers  Mazeras  and  Stratos,  all  issuing  out  of 
Caucasus.  Then  follows  the  Region  Margiana,  famous  for 
its  warm  Sunshine,  and  the  only  place  in  all  that  quarter 
which  yieldeth  Vines.  It  is  environed  with  pleasant  Moun- 
tains, for  the  compass  of  1500  Stadia:  difficult  of  approach 
by  reason  of  the  Sandy  Deserts  for  the  space  of  120  Miles; 
and  it  is  situated  over  against  the  Tract  of  Parthia,  wherein 
Alexander  had  built  Alexandria ;  which  being  destroyed  by 
the  Barbarians,  Antiochus  the  Son  of  Seleucus  rebuilt  it  in  the 
same  place,  upon  the  River  Margus,  which  runneth  through 
it,  together  with  another  River  Zotale,  and  it  was  called 
Syriana.2  But  he  desired  rather  that  it  should  be  named 
Antiochia.  This  City  containeth  in  Circuit  70  Stadia: 
and  into  it  Orodes,  after  the  Slaughter  of  Crassus  and  his 
Army,  brought  his  Roman  Prisoners.  Being  past  the  high 
Country  (Margiana),  you  come  to  the  Nation  of  the  Mardi, 

'  Some  copies  read  Zapauortene  and  Apauortene. — Wern.  Club. 

3  Or  rather  Seleucia. 


116  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  VI. 

a  Fierce  People,  subject  to  none ;  they  inhabit  the  Rocky 
Summits  of  Caucasus,  which  reach  as  far  as  to  the  Bac- 
trians.  Beyond  that  Tract  are  the  Nations  Ochani,  Chomari, 
Berdrigei,  Hermatotrophi,  Bomarci,  Commani,  Marucsei, 
Mandrueni  and  latii.  The  Rivers  Mandrus  and  Gridinus. 
Beyond,  inhabit  the  Chorasmii,  Gandari,  Attasini,  Paricani, 
Sarangae,  Parrasini,  Maratiani,  Nasotiani,  Aorsi,  Gelse,  whom 
the  Greeks  called  Cadusii,  and  the  Matiani.  The  Town 
Heraclea,  built  by  Alexander,  which  afterwards  was  over- 
thrown :  but  when  it  was  repaired  again  by  Antiochus,  he 
named  it  Achais.  The  Derbices,  through  the  midst  of  whose 
Borders  runneth  the  River  Oxus,  which  hath  its  Beginning 
from  the  Lake  Oxus :  the  Syrmatse,  Oxii,  Tagse,  Heniochi, 
Bateni,  Saraparss,  and  the  Bactri,  with  their  Town  Zariaspe, 
called  afterwards  Bactrum,  from  the  River  (Bactra);  this 
Nation  inhabiteth  the  back  parts  of  the  Mountain  Paropa- 
rnisus,  over  against  the  Source  of  the  River  Indus;  and  it  is 
inclosed  by  'the  River  Ochus.  Beyond  are  the  Sogdiani ; 
the  Town  Panda  ;  and  in  the  utmost  Borders  of  their  Terri- 
tory is  Alexandria,  built  by  Alexander  the  Great.  There  are 
the  Altars  erected  by  Hercules  and  Liber  Pater,  also  by 
Cyrus,  Semiramis,  and  Alexander  :  the  very  end  of  all  their 
Voyages  in  that  part  of  the  World  being  included  within  the 
River  Jaxartes,  which  the  Scythians  call  Silys :  Alexander 
and  his  Soldiers  thought  it  had  been  the  Tanais.  Demonax, 
a  General  of  the  Kings  Seleucus  and  Antiochus,  passed  over 
that  River,  and  set  up  Altars  to  Apollo  Didymceus.  And 
this  Demonax  for  the  most  part  we  follow. 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
The  Scythian  Nation. 

BEYOND  (the  Realm  Sogdiana)  inhabit  the  People  of  the 
Scythians.  The  Persians  called  them  in  general  Sacas,  from 
a  People  adjoining,  and  the  Ancients  Aramei.  The  Scythians 
for  their  part  called  the  Persians,  Chorsari :  and  the  Moun- 
tain Caucasus,  they  called  Graucasus,  that  is  to  say,  White 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  117 

with  Snow.1  The  People  are  exceedingly  numerous  :  as 
much  so  as  the  Parthians.  The  principal  People  of  Scythia 
are  the  Sacse,  Massagetae,  Dahse,  Essedones,  Ariacse,  Rhym- 
nici,  Pesici,  Amordi,  Histi,  Edones,  Camse,  Camacae,  Eu- 
chatse,  Corieri,  Antariani,  Pialae,  Arimaspi,  formerly  called 
Cacidiri,  Assei,  and  Oetei.  The  Napaei  and  Apellaei  who 
dwelt  there,  are  said  to  have  perished.  The  noble  Rivers  of 
those  People  are  Mandagrceus  and  Caspasius.  And  surely 
there  is  not  a  Region  wherein  Geographers  vary  as  they  do 
in  this :  and  I  believe  this  to  proceed  from  the  very  great 
number  of  those  Nations,  and  their  wandering  to  and  fro. 
Alexander  the  Great  reporteth  that  the  Water  of  the  Scy- 
thian Sea  is  fresh  and  potable ;  and  M.  Varro  saith  that 
Pompey  had  such  Water  brought  to  him  when  he  carried  on 
the  War  in  that  Neighbourhood  against  Mithridates:  by 
reason,  no  doubt,  of  the  great  Rivers  that  fall  into  it,  which 
overcome  the  Saltness  of  the  Water.  Varro  saith  also,  that 
during  this  Expedition  of  Pompey  to  the  Bactri  it  was  known 
that  it  is  but  seven  Days'  Journey  from  India  to  the  River 
Icarus,  which  runneth  into  the  Oxus :  and  that  the  Mer- 
chandise of  India,  transported  by  the  Caspian  Sea,  and  so 
to  the  River  Cyrus,  may  be  brought  in  not  more  than  five 
Days  by  Land  as  far  as  to  Phasis  in  Pontus.  Many  Islands 
lie  all  over  that  Sea  :  but  one  above  the  rest  is  Tazata ;  for 
thither  all  the  Shipping  from  the  Caspian  Sea  and  the  Scy- 
thian Ocean  bend  their  Course,  the  Sea-coasts  being  all 
turned  to  the  East.  The  first  part  of  this  is  uninhabitable, 
from  the  Scythian  Promontory,  by  reason  of  the  Snow  :  and 
the  next  Regions  to  this  are  left  uncultivated  because  of  the 
Fierceness  of  those  Nations  that  border  upon  it.  The  An- 
thropophagi are  in  Scythia,  who  live  on  Man's  flesh.2  This 
is  the  cause  why  there  are  nothing  there  but  vast  Deserts, 

1  The  Emodus  or  Imaus  of  Pliny  (a  word  which  in  the  language  of 
the  inhabitants  signifies  snowy,)  derived  its  origin  immediately  from  the 
Himaleh  of  the  Hindoos ;  which  really  signifies  in  their  language  "  snowy," 
or  more  strictly  speaking,  "  the  seat  of  snow." — Quarterly  Review,  vol.  xxiv. 
p.  103. —  Worn.  Club. 

2  We  find  a  further  account  of  this  people,  whom  the  ancients  regarded 
with  horror,  in  the  7th  Book,  c.  2.    The  nation  referred  to  was  probably 


118  History  of  Nature.  [Boox  VI. 

with  a  multitude  of  Wild  Beasts,  lying  in  wait  for  Men  as 
savage  as  themselves.  Then  again  the  Scythians  ;  and  again 
a  Wilderness  full  of  Wild  Beasts,  as  far  as  to  the  craggy 
Mountain  overlook  ing  the  Sea,  called  Tabis.  Almost  one-half 
of  the  length  of  that  Coast,  which  looketh  toward  the  East, 
is  uninhabited.  The  first  of  the  People  that  are  known  are 
the  Seres,1  famous  for  the  fine  Silk  that  their  Woods  yield. 
They  collect  from  the  Leaves  of  the  Trees  their  hoary  Down, 
and  when  it  is  steeped  in  Water  they  card  it ;  wherein  our 
Women  have  a  double  Labour,  both  of  undoing  and  again  of 
weaving  this  kind  of  Thread :  with  so  much  Labour  and  so 
far  away  is  it  sought  after,  that  our  Matrons  when  they  go 
abroad  in  the  street  may  shine  with  Transparency.  The 
Seres  are  a  mild  People,  but  they  resemble  Beasts,  in  that  they 
fly  the  Company  of  other  People2  when  they  desire  inter- 

the  Samoieds,  in  the  north  of  Russia :  their  name  signifying  people  who 
eat  each  other ;  but  the  word  has  long  survived  the  practice  it  described. 
Ovid  speaks  of  such  a  people  seated  near  the  place  of  his  exile  on  the 
Euxine : 

"  Illi  quos  audis  hominum  gaudere  cruore." 

TRIST.  1.  4.,  explained  by  AGELL.  ix.  4. —  Wern.  Club. 

1  There  can  be  no  question  that  the  people  here  referred  to  are  the 
Chinese,  who  are  again  mentioned  in  the  22d  chapter.     It  was  a  pardon- 
able error  to  suppose  that  silk  was  the  produce  of  a  tree,  instead  of  being 
the  production  of  a  creature  which  fed  on  it ;  but  it  appears  that  the 
Romans  were  at  great  pains  in  disentangling  the  woven  texture,  that 
it  might  again  be  formed  into  garments  which  better  suited  their  taste 
or  habits.     Martial  speaks  of  this  material  under  the  name  of  Bombycina 
(Apophoreta,  24),  and  from  his  account  it  was  of  very  fine  texture,  and 
probably  expensive.    When  it  was  worn,  the  hair  was  bound  up  into  a 
knot  and  fastened  with  a  gold  pin,  in  order  that  it  might  not  soil  so 
exquisite  a  dress.    It  permitted  the  beauty  of  form  and  colour  to  be  seen 
through  its  substance. 

"  Foemineum  lucet  sic  per  bombycina  corpus  :" 
So  female  beauty  shines  through  woven  silk. 

Epig.  B.  8.  68. 

See  book  ii.  c.  xxii.  where  Pliny  corrects  the  errors  of  this  chapter. — 
Wern.  Club. 

2  Even  at  this  day  they  set  abroad  their  wares  with  the  prices,  upon 
the  shore,  and  go  their  ways  :  then  the  foreign  merchants  come  and  lay 
down  the  money,  and  have  away  the  merchandise ;  and  so  depart  with- 
out any  communication  at  all. 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  119 

course  with  them.  The  first  River  known  among  them  is 
Psitaras  :  the  next  Carabi :  the  third  Lanos  :  beyond  which 
the  Promontory,  the  Gulf  Chryse,  the  River  Cymaba,  the 
Bay  Attanos,  and  the  Nation  of  the  Attaci,  a  kind  of  People 
secluded  from  all  noisome  Wind  by  pleasant  Hills,  with  the 
same  Temperature  that  the  Hyperboreans  live  in.  Of  this 
People,  Amonetus  hath  specially  written  a  Book  ;  as  Hera- 
tfEus  hath  done  of  the  Hyperboreans.  Beyond  the  Attacores 
are  the  Thyri  and  Tochari,  and  then  the  Casiri,  who  now 
belong  to  the  Indians.  But  they  withinland,  that  lie  toward 
the  Scythians,  feed  on  Man's  Flesh.  The  Nomades  of 
India  likewise  wander  to  and  fro.  Some  write  that  they 
border  upon  the  very  Ciconians  and  Brysanians  on  the  North 
Side.  But  there  (as  all  agree)  the  Mountains  Emodi  arise, 
and  the  Nation  of  the  Indians  beginneth,  lying  not  only  by 
that  Sea,  but  also  on  the  Southern,  which  we  have  named 
the  Indian  Sea.  And  this  part  opposite  the  East,  stretcheth 
straightforward  to  that  place  where  it  beginneth  to  bend 
toward  the  Indian  Sea ;  and  it  containeth  1875  Miles. 
Then  that  Tract  which  is  bent  towards  the  South  taketh 
2475  Miles  (as  Eratosthenes  hath  set  down),  even  to  the 
River  Indus,  which  is  the  utmost  limit  of  India  Westward. 
But  many  others  have  set  down  the  whole  Length  of  India 
in  this  manner ;  that  it  requireth  40  Days  and  Nights'  Sail- 
ing ;  and  also,  that  from  the  North  to  the  South  is  2750 
Miles.  Agrippa  saith  that  it  is  3003  Miles  Long,  and 
2003  Broad.  Posidonius  hath  measured  it  from  the  North- 
east to  the  South-east ;  and  by  this  means  fixeth  it  directly 
opposite  to  Gaul,  which  he  likewise  measured  along  the 
West  Coast,  from  the  North-west  point  where  the  Sun  goeth 
down  at  Midsummer,  to  the  South-west,  where  it  setteth 
in  the  midst  of  Winter.  He  teacheth  also,  by  very  good 
Reasons,  that  this  West  Wind,  which  from  opposite  bloweth 
upon  India,  is  very  healthful  for  that  Country.  The  Indians 
have  a  different  Aspect  of  the  Sky  from  us.  Other  Stars  rise 
in  their  Hemisphere.  They  have  two  Summers  in  the  Year ; 
two  Harvests :  and  their  Winter  between  hath  the  Etesian 
Winds  blowing  instead  of  the  Northern  Blasts  with  us.  The 


120  Histoiy  of  Kature.  [BOOK  VI. 

Winds  are  mild  with  them,  the  Sea  navigable,  the  Nations 
and  the  Cities  innumerable,  if  any  one  would  take  in  Hand 
to  reckon  them  all.  For  India  hath  been  discovered,  not 
only  by  the  Arms  of  Alexander  the  Great,  and  of  other 
Kings  his  Successors  (for  Seleucus  and  Antiochus,  and  their 
Admiral  Patrocles,  sailed  about  it,  even  to  the  Hircan  and 
Caspian  Seas) :  but  also  other  Greek  Authors,  who  abode 
with  the  Kings  of  India  (as  Megasthenes,  and  Dionysius,  who 
was  sent  thither  for  this  purpose  by  Philadclphus)  have 
made  relation  of  the  Forces  of  those  Nations.  And  further 
Diligence  is  to  be  employed,  considering  they  wrote  of 
Things  so  various  and  incredible.  They  who  accompanied 
Alexander  the  Great  in  his  Indian  Voyage  have  written, 
that  in  that  Quarter  of  India  which  he  conquered,  there 
were  5000  Towns,  not  one  of  them  less  than  (the  City)  Cos : 
and  nine  Nations.  Also  that  India  is  a  third  Part  of  the 
whole  Earth  r1  that  the  People  in  it  were  innumerable.  And 
this  they  delivered  with  good  Appearance  of  Reason  :  for  the 
Indians  were  almost  the  only  Men  of  all  others  that  never 
went  out  of  their  own  Country.  They  collect  that  from  the 
Time  of  Father  Liber  to  Alexander  the  Great,  there  reigned 
over  them  154  Kings,  for  the  Space  of  5402  Years  and  three 
Months.  The  Rivers  are  of  wonderful  bigness.  It  is  reported 
that  Alexander  sailed  every  Day  at  least  600  Stadia  upon  the 
River  Indus,  and  yet  it  took  him  five  Months  and  some  few 
Days  to  reach  the  end  of  that  River,  although  it  is  allowed  to 
be  less  than  the  Ganges.  Also,  Seneca,  one  of  ourselves,  who 
laboured  to  write  Commentaries  on  India,  hath  made  Report 
of  60  Rivers  therein,  and  of  Nations,  118.  It  would  be  as 
great  a  Labour  to  reckon  up  the  Mountains.  Imaus,  Emo- 
dus,  Paropamisus,  parts  of  Caucasus,  join  together ;  from 
which  the  whole  passes  into  a  very  extensive  Plain,  like  to 
Egypt.  But  to  shew  the  Continent,  we  will  follow  the  Steps 
Q?  Alexander  the  Great.  Diognetus  and  Beton,  the  Mea- 
surers of  the  Journeys  of  that  Prince,  have  written,  that  from 

1  "India,  a  third  part  of  the  whole  earth;"  which  is  near  the  truth, 
although  it  contradicts  what  Pliny  says  in  the  33d  chapter  of  this  Book. 
—  Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  121 

the  Caspian  Ports  to  Hecatompylos  of  the  Parthians,  there 
are  as  many  Miles  as  we  have  set  down  already.  From 
thence  to  Alexandria  Arion,  which  City  the  same  King 
founded,  562  Miles :  from  whence  to  Prophthasia  of  the 
Drangse,  199  Miles :  and  so  forward  to  the  Town  of  the 
Arachosi,  515  Miles.  From  thence  to  Orthospanurn,  250 
Miles  :  thence  to  the  Town  of  Alexandria  in  Opianum,  50 
Miles.  In  some  Copies  these  Numbers  are  found  to  differ : 
this  City  is  situated  at  the  very  Foot  of  Caucasus.  From 
which  to  the  River  Chepta,  and  Pencolaitis,  a  Town  of  the 
Indians,  are  227  Miles.  From  thence  to  the  River  Indus 
and  the  Town  Taxila,  60  Miles  :  to  the  noble  River  Hy- 
daspes,  120  Miles:  to  Hypasis,  a  River  of  no  less  account, 
4900,  or  3900  j1  which  was  the  End  of  Alexander's  Voyage  : 
but  he  passed  over  the  River,  and  on  the  opposite  Bank  he 
dedicated  Altars.  The  Letters  also  of  the  King  himself 
agree  to  this.  The  other  Parts  of  the  Country  were  sur- 
veyed by  Seleucus  Nicator:  to  Hesidrus,  168  Miles:  to  the 
River  Joames  as  much  ;  and  some  Copies  add  five  Miles 
more:  from  thence  to  the  Ganges,  112  Miles:  to  Rhodapha, 
119;  and  some  say,  that  between  them  it  is  325  Miles.  From 
it  to  the  Town  Calinipaxa  167  Miles  and  a  half,  others  say 
265.  Thence  the  Junction  of  the  Rivers  Jomaues  and 
Ganges  625  Miles,  and  many  put  thereto  13  Miles  more: 
from  thence  to  the  Town  Palibotra  625  Miles.  To  the  Mouth 
of  the  Ganges  638  Miles.  The  Nations  which  it  is  not  irk- 
some to  name,  from  the  Mountains  Emodi,  of  which  the 
Promontory  is  called  Imaus,  which  signifieth  in  the  Lan- 
guage of  the  Inhabitants,  Snowy  :2  there  are  the  Isari,  Cosyri, 
Izgi,  and  upon  the  very  Mountains,  the  Ghisiotosagi :  also 
the  Brachmanae,3  a  Name  common  to  many  Nations,  among 
whom  are  the  Maccocalingae.  Rivers,  Pumas  and  Cainas, 

1  "  Ad  Hypasin  non  ignobiliorem  xxix.  mill,  cccxc.   Hoc  est  novem  et 
viginti  milliaria  cum  trecentis  et  xc.  pass." — Note  in  the  Regent  Edition. 
—Wern.  Club. 

2  Seep.  117. 

3  If  these  were  a  sect  of  the  Gynmosophists,  they  are  referred  to  by 
Plutarch  in  his  life  of  Alexander ;  but  Pliny  seems  to  be  of  opinion  that 


122  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VI. 

the  latter  of  which  runneth  into  the  Ganges,  and  both  are 
navigable.  The  Nations  called  Calingee  are  close  upon  the 
Sea;  but  the  Mandei  and  Malli,  among  whom  is  the  Moun- 
tain Mallus,  are  above  them ;  and  then  is  the  Ganges,  the 
farthest  Bound  of  all  that  Tract. 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 
The  River  Ganges. 

SOME  have  said  that  the  Fountains  of  the  Ganges  are 
uncertain,  like  those  of  the  Nilus ;  and  that  it  overfloweth  the 
neighbouring  Countries  in  the  same  manner.  Others  have 
said  that  it  issueth  out  of  the  Mountains  of  Scythia.  There 
run  into  it  nineteen  Rivers  :  of  which,  besides  those  before- 
named,  there  are  navigable,  Canucha,  Varna,  Erranoboa, 
Cosaogus,  and  Sonus.  Some  report  that  the  Ganges  pre- 
sently breaketh  out  to  a  great  Magnitude  from  its  own 
Sources  with  great  Violence,  falling  down  over  steep  and 
craggy  Rocks :  and  when  it  is  arrived  in  the  flat  and  even 
Country,  that  it  taketh  Shelter  in  a  certain  Lake ;  and  out  of 
it  carrieth  a  gentle  Stream,  8  Miles  broad  where  it  is  nar- 
rowest :  and  100  Stadia  over  for  the  most  part,  but  160 
where  it  largest :  but  in  no  Place  under  20  Paces  deep. 

CHAPTER  XIX. 
The  Nations  of  India. 

THE  first  Nation  is  that  of  the  Gandaridae ;  the  Region  of 
the  Calingae  is  called  Parthalis.  The  King  hath  in  readiness 
for  his  Wars  80,000  foot,  1000  Horsemen,  and  700  Ele- 
phants. The  other  Nations  of  the  Indians  are  of  different 
Conditions  and  milder  Habits.  Some  apply  themselves  to 
Tillage :  others  are  devoted  to  War :  one  Sort  export  their 

several  separate  people  are  so  denominated.  They  are  probably  tbe  same 
as  those  mentioned  in  the  19th  chapter,  as  being  always  prepared  for  a 
voluntary  death. — Wcrn.  Club. 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  123 

own  Commodities  to  other  Countries,  and  bring  foreign 
Merchandise  into  their  own.  Those  that  are  the  richest  and 
most  worthy  manage  the  affairs  of  the  State,  distribute  Jus- 
tice, or  sit  in  Council  with  the  Kings.  A  fifth  Kind  there  is 
besides,  in  great  repute,  and  given  wholly  to  the  Study  of 
Wisdom  and  Religion ;  and  these  make  profession  of  being 
always  ready  for  a  voluntary  Death:  and  they  end  their 
Days  on  a  great  funeral  Fire,  which  they  have  prepared 
beforehand.  Besides  all  these,  one  Thing  there  is  amongst 
them  half  Savage,  and  full  of  exceeding  Toil,  and  yet  by 
which  all  the  Estates  abovesaid  are  maintained  ;  which  is  the 
practice  of  hunting  and  taming  Elephants.  It  is  with  them 
they  plough  their  Ground,  upon  them  they  ride :  these  are 
the  best  Cattle  they  know  :  with  them  they  go  to  War,  and 
contend  in  defence  of  their  Frontiers.  In  the  choice  of  them 
for  War  they  consider  their  Strength,  their  Age,  and  Bigness 
of  Body.  There  is  an  Island  in  the  Ganges  of  great  size, 
containing  one  Nation,  named  Modogalica.  Beyond  it  are 
seated  the  Modubae,  Molinda3,  where  standeth  the  fruitful 
and  stately  City  Molinda ;  the  Galmodroesi,  Preti,  Calissae, 
Sasuri,  Fassalre,  Colubae,  Orxulre,  Abali,  and  Taluctae.  The 
King  of  these  Countries  hath  in  Arms  50,000  Foot,  3000 
Horsemen,  arid  400  Elephants.  Then  comes  the  stronger 
Nation  of  the  Andarae,  with  many  Villages,  and  with  30 
Towns,  fortified  with  Walls  and  Towers.  These  maintain 
ready  to  serve  the  King  100,000  Foot,  2000  Horsemen, 
and  1000  Elephants.  The  Dardse  are  the  richest  in  Gold ; 
and  the  Setae,  in  Silver.  But  above  all  the  Nations  of  India 
throughout,  and  not  of  this  Tract  only,  the  Prasii  far  exceed 
in  Power  and  Reputation ;  and  the  largest  and  richest  City, 
Palibotra,  from  whence  some  have  named  this  Nation,  yea, 
and  all  the  Country  generally  beyond  Ganges,  Palibotros. 
Their  King  keepeth  continually  in  pay  600,000  Footmen, 
30,000  Horsemen,  and  9000  Elephants,  every  Day.  Whereby 
you  may  guess  the  mighty  Wealth  of  this  Prince.  Beyond, 
more  within,  inhabit  the  Monedes  and  Suari,  who  possess 
the  Mountain  Maleus :  in  which,  for  six  Months,  the  Sha- 
dows in  Winter  fall  northward  ;  and  in  Summer,  south- 


124  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VI. 

ward.1  The  Polar  Stars  in  all  that  Tract  are  seen  but  once 
in  the  Year,  and  that  only  for  15  Days ;  as  Beton  maketh 
report:  but  Megasthenes  writeth,  that  this  is  usual  in  other 
Parts  of  India  also.  The  South  Pole  is  called  hy  the  Indians 
Dramasa.  The  River  Jomanes  runneth  into  the  Ganges 
through  Palibotros,  between  the  Towns  Methora  and  Cyriso- 
borca.  Beyond  the  River  Ganges,  in  that  quarter  which  lieth 
southward,  the  People  are  coloured  by  the  Sun :  but  though 
tinted,  yet  not  so  burnt  as  the  Ethiopians.  And  the  nearer  they 
approach  to  the  Indus,  the  deeper  coloured  they  are  with  the 
Sun :  for  closely  beyond  the  Nation  of  the  Prasii  is  the  In- 
dus :  among  whose  Mountains  the  Pigmsei  are  reported  to 
inhabit.  Artemidorus  writeth,  that  between  these  two  Rivers 
there  is  a  Distance  of  21  Miles. 

CHAPTER  XX. 
The  River  Indus. 

THE  Indus,  which  the  People  of  that  Country  call  Sandus, 
issueth  out  of  that  top  of  the  Mountain  Caucasus,  which  is 
called  Paropamisus  :  it  taketh  its  Course  against  the  Sun- 
rising,  and  receiveth  19  Rivers.  Among  these  the  principal 
are  Hydaspes,  which  bringeth  with  it  four  more :  and  Can- 
tabra,  conveying  three.  Moreover,  of  such  as  are  of  them- 
selves navigable,  Acesines  and  Hypasis  :  and  yet  so  modest 
is  the  Course  of  its  Waters,  that  in  no  place  is  it  either  above 
50  Stadia  over,  or  deeper  than  15  Paces.2  This  River 
encloseth  a  very  great  Island  named  Prasiane,  and  another 
that  is  less,  which  they  call  Patale.  They  that  have  written 
it  with  the  least,  say  that  it  is  navigable  for  1240  Miles; 
and  turning  with  the  Course  of  the  Sun,  it  keepeth  him  com- 
pany westward,  until  it  is  discharged  into  the  Ocean.  The 
Measure  of  the  Coast  to  it  I  will  set  down  generally  as  I  find 
it  written :  although  there  is  no  Agreement  among  Writers 

1  The  reader  is  referred  to  the  concluding  chapter  of  this  Book  for  a 
more  particular  account  of  the  climates  and  the  direction  of  the  shadows. 
—  Wern.  CM. 

2  That  is,  seventy-five  feet,— TFern.  Club. 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  125 

concerning  it.  From  the  Mouth  of  the  Ganges  to  the  Cape 
Calingon,  and  the  Town  Dandagula,  are  725  Miles  :  from 
thence  to  Tropina,  1225  Miles.  Then  to  the  Promontory  of 
Perimula,  where  is  the  chief  Town  of  Merchandise  in  all 
India,  750  Miles:  from  which  to  the  abovesaid  Town  Patale, 
within  the  Island,  620  Miles.  The  Mountain  Nations  be- 
tween it  and  Jomanes  are  the  Cesi  and  the  savage  Catreboni : 
next  to  them  the  Megallse,  whose  King  hath  500  Elephants ; 
and  ofv  Foot  and  Horsemen  an  uncertain  number.  The 
Chrysei,  ParasangEe,  and  Asangee,  are  full  of  Tigers :  they 
arm  30,000  Foot,  800  Horsemen,  and  300  Elephants.  The 
Indus  shuts  them  in,  and  they  are  enclosed  with  a  crown  of 
Mountains  and  Wildernesses  for  025  Miles.  Beneath  these 
Deserts  are  the  Dari  and  Suras ;  and  then  again  Deserts  for 
188  Miles,  compassed  about  for  the  most  part  with  Banks  of 
Sands,  like  Islands  in  the  Sea.  Under  these  Deserts  are  the 
Maltecoree,  Singoe,  Marobse,  Rarungee,  Moruntes,  Masuse, 
and  Pagungce.  Now  for  those  who  inhabit  the  Mountains, 
which  in  a  continual  range  without  interruption  stand  upon 
the  Coasts  of  the  Ocean,  they  are  free  and  subject  to  no 
Kings,  and  many  Cities  they  hold  among  these  Mountains. 
Then  come  the  Narseae,  enclosed  within  the  highest  Mountain 
of  all  the  Indian  Hills,  Capitalia.  On  the  other  side  of  this 
the  Inhabitants  dig  extensively  in  Gold  and  Silver  Mines. 
Then  you  enter  upon  Oratura,  whose  King  hath  indeed  but 
10  Elephants,  but  a  great  abundance  of  Footmen;  and  the 
Varetatae,  who  under  their  King  keep  no  Elephants,  trusting 
to  their  Horsemen  and  Footmen.  The  Odomboerae  and 
Salabastrae ;  the  beautiful  City  Horata,  fortified  with  Fosses 
and  Marshes  :  through  which  the  Crocodiles,  on  account  of 
their  greedy  Appetite  for  Men's  Bodies,  will  suffer  none  to 
pass  into  the  Town,  but  over  the  Bridge.  Another  Town 
there  is  among  them,  of  great  Name:  Automela,  standing 
on  the  Sea-side  :  a  noble  resort  of  Merchants,  by  reason  of 
five  great  Rivers  which  meet  all  there  in  one  confluence. 
Their  King  possesseth  1600  Elephants,  150,000  Footmen, 
and  5000  Horsemen.  The  King  of  the  Charmae  is  poor ;  he 
possesseth  60  Elephants,  and  his  Power  is  otherwise  small. 
Beyond  them  are  the  Pandse,  the  only  Nation  of  the  Indians 


126  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  VI. 

which  is  governed  by  Women.  One  of  this  Sex,  they  say, 
was  begotten  by  Hercules,  in  which  regard  she  was  the  better 
accepted,  and  was  appointed  over  the  greatest  Kingdom. 
Those  who  draw  their  Origin  from  her  have  Dominion 
over  300  Towns,  and  the  Command  of  150,000  Foot,  and 
500  Elephants.  Beyond  this  Realm  are  the  Syrieni,  con- 
taining 300  Cities  ;  the  Derangse,  Posingae,  Buzae,  Gogyarei, 
Umbrae,  Nereae,  Prancosi,  Nobundse,  Cocondae,  Nesei,  Peda- 
tritae,  Solobriasae,  and  Olostrse,  touching  on  the  Island1 
Patale :  from  the  utmost  Shore  of  which  Island  unto  the 
Gates  Caspiae,  are  reckoned  18,025  Miles.  Again,  on  this 
side  the  River  Indus,  over  against  them,  as  appeareth  by 
evident  Demonstration,  there  dwell  the  Amatae,  Bolingae, 
Gallitalutae,  Dimuri,  Megari,  Ordabae,  and  Mesae.  Beyond 
them,  the  Uri  and  Sileni ;  and  then  Deserts  for  250  Miles ; 
which  being  passed  over,  there  are  the  Organages,  the 
Abaortae,  Sibarae,  and  the  Suertae  :  and  beyond  these  a  Wil- 
derness as  great  as  the  former.  Again,  the  Sarophages, 
Sorgae,  Baraomatae,  and  the  Gumbritae ;  of  whom  there  are 
thirteen  Nations,  and  each  one  hath  two  Cities.  The  Aseni 
inhabit  three  Cities:  their  capital  City  is  Bucephala,  built  in 
the  very  Place  where  King  Alexander's  horse,  called  Buce- 
phalus, was  buried.  Above  them  are  the  Mountaineers 
below  the  Caucacus,  named  Soleadae  and  Sondrse :  and  hav- 
ing passed  the  Indus,  going  along  its  Banks  are  the  Sama- 
rabriae,  the  Sambruceni,  the  Brisabritae,  Osii,  Antixeni,  and 
Taxillae,  with  a  famous  City  called  Amandra  :  from  which  all 
that  Tract  now  lying  plain  within  the  Country  is  named 
Amandra.  Four  Nations  there  are :  the  Peucolaitae,  Arsa- 
galitae,  Geretae,  and  Asoi :  for  many  set  not  down  the  River 
Indus  as  the  limit  westward ;  but  add  four  Provinces 
(Satrapae):  Gedrosi,  Arachotae,  Arii,  and  Paropamisadae. 

CHAPTER  XXI. 
The  Arii  and  the  Nations  adjoining. 

OTHER  Writers  prefer  the  opinion,  that  the  utmost  limit 
is  the  River  Cophetes,  all  which  quarters  are  within  the  Ter- 

1  Babul. 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  127 

ritory  of  the  Arii :  and  most  of  them  affirm  that  the  City 
Nysa,  as  also  the  Mountain  Merus  consecrated  to  Father 
Liber,  belong  to  India.  This  is  that  Mountain  from  which 
arose  the  Fable,  that  he  sprung  from  the  Seed  of  Jupiter. 
Likewise  (they  assign  to  India)  the  Country  of  the  Aspagonae, 
so  plentiful  in  Vines,  Laurels,  and  Box,  and  generally  all 
sorts  of  Fruits  that  grow  in  Greece.  Many  wonderful,  and 
in  a  manner  fabulous  things,  they  report  of  the  Fertility  of 
that  Land,  of  the  sorts  of  Fruits,  of  Trees  bearing  Cotton,  of 
Wild  Beasts,  of  Birds,  and  other  Creatures :  which  I  will 
reserve  for  their  proper  places  in  another  part  of  this  Work. 
Those  four  Satrapies,  which  I  mentioned  before,  I  will  speak 
of  presently:  for  now  I  hasten  to  the  Island  Taprobane. 
But  there  are  other  Isles  first,  as  Patalse,  which  we  have 
noted  to  lie  in  the  very  Mouth  of  the  River  Indus,  of  a 
Triangular  figure,  220  Miles  in  Breadth.  Without  the 
Mouth  of  the  Indus,  two  other  Islands,  Chryse  and  Agyre, 
abounding,  as  I  suppose,  in  Gold  and  Silver  Mines ;  for  I 
cannot  easily  believe,  that  the  Soil  there  is  all  Gold  and 
Silver,  as  some  have  reported.  Twenty  Miles  from  them  is 
Crocala:  and  twelve  Miles  further  Bibaga,  abundant  in 
Oysters  and  other  Shell-fishes.  Then,  nine  Miles  beyond 
it,  Toralliba  sheweth  itself,  and  many  other  petty  Islands. 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

The  Island  TaprobanZ.1 

IT  hath  been  for  a  long  time  thought  that  Taprobane  was 
another  World  under  the  appellation  of  the  Antichthones. 
But  from  the  time  of  Alexander  the  Great,  and  the  inter- 
course in  those  parts,  it  was  discovered  to  be  an  Island. 
Onesicratus,  the  Admiral  of  his  Fleet,  hath  written,  that  the 
Elephants  bred  in  this  Island  are  bigger  and  better  fitted  for 
War  than  those  of  India.  Megasthenes  saith,  that  there  is 
a  River  which  divideth  it,  arid  that  the  Inhabitants  are  called 

1  This  is  now  generally  concluded  to  be  the  island  of  Ceylon,  in  the 
East  Indies,  now  subject  to  British  dominion.— Wern.  Club. 


128  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VI. 

Palseogoni :  that  it  affordeth  more  Gold  and  bigger  Pearls 
than  the  Indian.  Eratosthenes  also  took  the  Measure 
of  it,  in  length  7000  Stadia,  and  in  breadth  5000 :  that 
there  are  no  Cities,  but  Villages  to  the  number  of  700.  It 
beginneth  at  the  Sea  Eob's,  from  which  it  extendeth 
between  the  East  and  West  of  India :  and  in  times 
past  was  believed  to  lie  out  into  the  Sea  from  the  Prasian 
Nation  twenty  Days'  Sailing.  But  afterwards,  because  the 
Vessels  and  Rigging  used  upon  this  Sea  in  the  Passage 
thither  were  made  of  Paper  Reeds,  like  those  of  the  River 
Nile,  the  Voyage  was  estimated,  by  comparison  with  our 
Ships,  at  about  seven  Days.  All  the  Sea  lying  between 
is  full  of  Shallows,  no  more  than  five  Fathoms  Deep  ;  but  in 
certain  Channels  it  is  so  deep  that  no  Anchors  will  reach  the 
Bottom:  and  so  narrow  are  these  Channel?,  that  a  Ship 
cannot  turn  within  them ;  and  therefore,  to  avoid  the  neces- 
sity of  turning,  the  Ships  have  Prows  at  both  ends.  In 
Sailing,  there  is  no  Observation  of  the  Stars.  The  North 
Pole  is  never  seen  :  but  they  carry  with  them  Birds,  which 
they  send  off  at  intervals  and  follow  their  Course,  as  they 
fly  to  Land :  neither  used  they  go  to  Sea  for  more  than 
three  Months  in  the  Year ;  and  for  one  hundred  Days  from 
the  Solstice  they  take  most  heed ;  for  at  that  time  it  is  Win- 
ter with  them.  And  thus  much  we  know  by  relation  of 
ancient  Writers.  But  we  obtain  better  Intelligence,  and 
more  accurate  Information,  by  Ambassadors  who  came  out 
of  that  Island,  in  the  reign  of  Claudius,  which  happened 
after  this  manner.  A  Freed-man  of  Annius  Plocamus,  who 
had  Farmed  from  the  Exchequer  the  Customs  of  the  Red 
Sea,  as  he  sailed  about  the  Coasts  of  Arabia,  was  driven  with 
the  North  Winds  beyond  the  Realm  of  Carmania,  and  in  the 
Space  of  15  Days  he  reached  an  Harbour  of  that  Country, 
called  Hippuros.  He  found  the  King  of  that  Country  so 
courteous,  as  to  afford  him  Entertainment  for  six  Months. 
And  as  he  used  to  discourse  with  him  about  the  Romans  and 
Caesar,  he  recounted  to  him  at  large  of  all  things.  But 
among  many  other  Reports  that  he  heard,  he  wondered  most 
at  their  Justice,  because  their  Denarii  of  the  Money  which 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  129 

was  taken  were  always  of  the  same  Weight,  although  the 
different  Images  shewed  that  they  were  made  by  different 
Persons.  And  hereupon  especially  was  he  moved  to  seek 
for  the  Friendship  of  Rome  ;  and  so  despatched  four  Ambas- 
sadors, of  whom  Rachias  was  the  chief.  From  them  it  be- 
came known  that  there  were  five  hundred  Towns  in  it ;  and 
that  there  was  a  Harbour  facing  the  South,  lying  conve- 
niently near  the  Town  Palesimundum,  the  principal  City  of 
all  that  Realm,  and  the  King's  Seat ;  that  there  were 
200,000  common  Citizens  :  that  within  this  Island  there  was 
a  Lake  called  Magisba,  270  Miles  in  Circuit,  containing  in 
it  some  Islands  fruitful  in  nothing  but  Pasturage.  Out  of 
this  Lake  issued  two  Rivers ;  the  one,  Palesimundas,  pass- 
ing near  to  the  City  of  the  same  Name,  and  running  into  the 
Harbour  with  three  Streams  ;  of  which  the  Narrowest  was  five 
Stadia  Broad,  and  the  largest  fifteen  ;  the  other  Northward 
towards  India,  by  Name  Cydara :  also  that  the  next  Cape  of 
this  Country  to  India  is  called  Colaicum,  from  which  to  the 
nearest  Port  (of  India)  is  counted  four  Days'  Sailing :  in  the 
midst  of  which  Passage,  there  lieth  the  Island  of  the  Sun. 
They  said,  moreover,  that  the  Water  of  this  Sea  was  of  a 
deep  green  Colour;  and,  what  is  still  more  extraordinary, 
full  of  Trees  growing  within  it  :J  so  that  the  Pilots  with 
their  Helms  broke  off  the  Crests  of  those  Trees.  They  won- 
dered to  see  the  Stars  about  the  North  Pole  (Septentriones) 
and  Vergilise,  as  if  it  had  been  a  new  Heaven.  They  confessed 
also  they  never  saw,  with  them,  the  Moon  above  the  Earth 
before  it  was  eight  Days  old,2  nor  after  the  sixteenth  Day. 
That  the  Canopus,  a  great  and  bright  Star,  used  to  shine  all 
Night  with  them.  But  the  thing  that  they  were  most  sur- 
prised at  was,  that  they  observed  the  Shadow  of  their  own 

1  Branched  corals,  beyond  a  doubt. —  Wern.  Club. 

a  It  is  surprising  to  find  an  author  so  intelligent  as  Pliny  relating 
such  extraordinary  circumstances  as  these  ambassadors  from  Ceylon 
reported  without  any  animadversion ;  and  particularly  that  he  takes  no 
notice  of  what  they  said  concerning  the  appearance  of  the  moon,  as  such 
a  phenomenon  could  not  take  place  in  any  region  of  the  earth. —  Wern. 
Club. 

VOT,.    IT.  K 


130  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  VI. 

Bodies  to  fall  toward  our  Hemisphere,  and  not  to  theirs ; 
and  that  the  Sun  rose  on  their  Left  Hand  and  set  on  their 
Right,  rather  than  contrary  wise.  Furthermore  they  related, 
that  the  Front  of  that  Island  which  looked  toward  India 
contained  10,000  Stadia,  and  reached  from  the  South-east 
beyond  the  Mountains  Emodi.  Also,  that  the  Seres  were 
within  their  Sight,  with  whom  they  had  Acquaintance  by 
Merchandise :  and  that  the  Father  of  Rachias  used  many 
times  to  travel  thither :  affirming,  moreover,  that  if  any 
Strangers  came  thither,  they  were  assailed  by  Wild  Beasts  : 
and  that  the  Inhabitants  themselves  exceeded  the  ordinary 
Stature  of  Men,  having  red  Hair,  blue  Eyes,  their  Voice 
harsh,  their  Speech  not  fitted  for  any  Commerce.  In  all 
things  else  their  Practice  is  the  same  as  that  of  our  Mer- 
chants. On  the  farther  side  of  the  River,  when  Commodi- 
ties are  laid  down  near  the  Things  for  Sale,  if  the  Exchange 
please  them  they  take  them  away,  and  leave  the  other  Mer- 
chandise in  lieu  thereof:  with  a  juster  Hatred  of  Luxury 
than  if  the  mind  shall  consider  what  and  whence  it  is  sought 
for,  and  to  what  end.  But  even  this  Island  Taprobane, 
seeming,  as  it  were,  to  be  separated  by  Nature  from  all  the 
World,  is  not  without  the  Vices  with  which  we  are  tainted. 
For  Gold  and  Silver  are  even  there  also  highly  esteemed : 
and  Marble,  especially  if  it  be  fashioned  like  a  Tortoise-shell. 
Gems  and  Pearls  also,  of  the  better  sort,  are  in  great  honour  : 
and  the  Abundance  of  our  Luxury.  These  Ambassadors  said 
that  their  Riches  were  greater,  but  that  we  had  more  use  of 
them.  They  affirmed,  that  no  Man  with  them  had  any 
Slaves ;  neither  slept  they  after  Day-light,  nor  in  the  Day- 
time :  that  the  Manner  of  Building  their  Houses  is  low,  that 
the  Price  of  Victuals  did  not  fluctuate ;  and  there  were  no 
Courts,  or  going  to  Law.  Hercules  is  worshipped.  Their 
King  is  chosen  by  the  People,  if  he  is  aged,  merciful,  and 
childless;  but  if  he  should  have  Children  afterward,  then  he 
is  deposed,  in  order  that  the  Kingdom  may  not  become  here- 
ditary. He  hath  thirty  Governors  assigned  to  him  by  the 
People :  and  no  Person  can  be  condemned  to  Death  unless 
by  the  Majority  of  them :  and  even  then  he  may  appeal  to 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.    '  131 

the  People.  Seventy  Judges  are  deputed  to  sit  upon  his 
Cause;  and  if  it  happen  that  they  acquit  him,  then  the 
thirty  who  condemned  him  are  ever  displaced  from  their 
Dignity,  with  a  very  severe  Rebuke.  The  King  is  adorned 
like  Liber  Pater :  but  others  in  the  habit  of  Arabians.  If 
the  King  offend  in  any  thing,  Death  is  his  Punishment :  but 
no  Man  doeth  Execution.  All  Men  turn  away  from  him, 
and  deny  him  any  Intercourse,  of  even  a  Word.  They  are 
destroyed  during  a  solemn  Hunting,  which,  it  appears,  is 
exceedingly  agreeable  to  the  Tigers  and  Elephants.  They 
cultivate  their  Ground  diligently.  They  do  not  use  Vines  ; 
but  all  sorts  of  Fruits  they  have  in  Abundance.  They  also 
take  Pleasure  in  Fishing,  and  especially  in  taking  Tortoises  : 
and  so  great  are  they  found  there,  that  one  of  their  Shells 
serves  to  cover  a  House.  They  count  a  hundred  Years  no 
long  Life.  Thus  much  we  have  learned  concerning  Tapro- 
ban£.  It  remaineth  now  to  say  somewhat  of  those  four 
Satrapies,  which  we  put  off  to  this  Place. 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 
Capissent!,  Carmania. 

BEYOND  those  Nations  which  border  nearest  on  the  River 
Indus,  the  Mountain  Portions  of  Capissaene  possess  the  City 
Capissa,  which  Cyrus  destroyed.  Arachosia,  with  a  City, 
and  a  River  also  of  that  Name ;  which  City  some  have  called 
Coph£,  founded  by  Queen  Semiramis.  The  River  Her- 
mandus,  which  runneth  by  Abeste,  of  the  Arachosians.  The 
next,  which  confront  Arachosia  southward,  toward  part  of  the 
Arachotae,  are  the  Gedrosi ;  and  on  the  North  side  the  Paro- 
pamisadae.  The  Town  Cartana,  named  afterwards  Tetra- 
gonis,  is  at  the  foot  of  Caucasus.  This  Region  lieth  over 
against  the  Bactriani :  then  its  principal  Town  Alexandria, 
named  from  its  Founder:  Syndraci,  Dangulse,  Parapiani, 
Cantaces,  and  Maci.  At  the  Hill  Caucasus  standeth  the 
Town  Cadrusi,  built  likewise  by  Alexander.  Below  all  these 
Regions  lieth  the  Coast  of  the  Indus.  The  Region  of  the 
Arians,  scorched  with  parching  Heats,  and  environed  with 


J  32  History  of  Nature.  [  Boo K  V  f . 

Deserts  :  but  many  shadowy  Places  lie  between.  Cultivators 
are  assembled  especially  about  the  two  Rivers,  Tonderos  and 
Arosapes.  The  Town  Artaccana.  The  River  Arius,  which 
runneth  by  Alexandria,  built  by  Alexander.  The  Town  con- 
taineth  in  Compass  30  Stadia.  Artacabane,  as  much  more 
ancient  as  it  is  more  beautiful,  which  by  Antiochus  the  King 
was  walled  the  second  time,  and  enlarged  to  50  Stadia. 
The  Nation  of  the  Dorisci.  The  Rivers  Pharnacotis  and 
Ophradus.  Prophtasia,  a  Town  of  the  Zarasparae.  The 
Drangae,  Argetae,  Zarangae,  and  Gedrusi.  Towns  Peucolais 
and  Lymphorta ;  the  Desert  of  the  Methoricori ;  the  River 
Manais ;  the  Nation  of  the  Augutturi.  The  River  Borru ; 
the  People  Urbi;  the  Navigable  River  Ponamus,  in  the 
Borders  of  the  Pandse.  Also,  the  River  Ceberon,  in  the 
Country  of  the  Sorarae ;  with  many  Harbours  in  its  Mouth. 
The  Town  of  Condigramma ;  the  River  Cophes  ;  into  which 
run  the  Navigable  Rivers,  Sadarus,  Parosphus,  and  Sodinus. 
Some  will  have  the  Country  Daritus  to  be  a  part  of  Ariana, 
and  they  set  down  the  Measure  of  them  both  to  be  in  Length 
1950  Miles,  and  in  Breadth  less  by  half  than  India.  Others 
have  said  that  the  Country  of  the  Gedrusi  and  Scyri  con- 
taineth  183  Miles.  Being  past  which,  are  the  Ichthyophagi, 
surnamed  Oritae,  who  speak  not  the  proper  Indian  Tongue, 
for  200  Miles.  And  beyond  it  are  situated  the  People  of  the 
Arbians,  for  200  Miles.  Those  Ichthyophagi  Alexander  for- 
bade to  feed  on  Fish.1  Beyond  them  are  the  Deserts;  and 
then  comes  Carmania,  as  well  as  Persis,  and  Arabia.  But 
before  we  treat  distinctly  of  these  Countries,  I  think  it  meet 
to  set  down  what  Onesicritus  (who  having  the  conduct  of  the 

1  Fish  was  a  favourite  diet  among  the  people  bordering  on  the 
Mediterranean  Sea ;  and  therefore  the  objection  of  Alexander  could  not 
be  to  this,  simply  as  an  article  of  food.  It  may  be  supposed  that  various 
tribes  living  on  the  sea-coast  were  accustomed  to  feed  on  this  diet  alone, 
on  the  principle  of  caste  or  sect,  thereby  rendering  themselves  exclusive 
in  their  communications  with  others.  To  remove  such  barriers  to  civilis- 
ation may  be  supposed  to  have  been  the  prevailing  motive  with  Alex- 
ander in  this  edict ;  which  regulated  rather  than  forbade  the  use  of  a 
wholesome  article  of  food. —  Worn.  Club. 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  133 

Fleet  of  Alexander,  sailed  out  of  India,  about  the  Mediter- 
ranean parts  of  Persls)  reporteth,  according  to  the  Informa- 
tion which  came  lately  from  Juba :  in  like  manner  this 
Navigation  in  these  years  ascertained,  is  even  at  this  day  pre- 
served. The  Reports  made  by  Onesicritus  and  Nearchus  of 
their  Navigation  possess  neither  the  Distance  nor  the  Names 
of  the  several  Resting-places.  And  to  begin  with  Xylene- 
polis,  built  by  Alexander,  from  which  they  entered  first  on 
their  Voyage,  it  is  not  satisfactorily  put  down  by  them,  either 
in  what  Place  it  is  situated,  or  near  what  River.  Yet  these 
Particulars  are  by  them  reported  worthy  the  Remembrance  : 
as  that  in  this  Voyage  Nearchus  founded  a  Town :  that 
the  River  Nabrtis  is  able  to  bear  great  Vessels :  overagainst 
which  there  is  an  Island,  at  the  Distance  of  70  Stadia  : 
that  Leonatus  founded  Alexandria  in  the  Frontiers  of 
that  Nation,  by  Commandment  of  Alexander  ;  Argenus  is  a 
safe  Harbour:  that  the  River  Tuberum  is  navigable,  around 
which  are  the  Paritse.  After  them  the  Ichthyophagi,  who 
occupy  so  long  a  Tract,  that  they  were  20  Days  in  Sailing 
along  by  their  Coasts.  The  Island  of  the  Sun,  named  also 
the  Bed  of  the  Nymphs,  is  red,  and  in  which  almost  every 
Creature  is  consumed  for  no  certain  cause.  The  Origens  : 
Hytanis,  a  River  in  Carmania,  with  many  Harbours,  and 
Plenty  of  Gold.  And  here  first  they  observed  that  they  had 
a  sight  of  the  North-pole  Star  (Septentriones).  The  Star 
Arcturus  they  saw  not  every  Night,  nor  at  any  Time  all 
Night  long.  Furthermore,  the  Archsemenides  reached  thus 
far :  and  they  found  Mines  of  Copper,  Iron,  Arsenic,  and  Ver- 
milion :  then  is  the  Cape  of  Carmania :  from  which  to  the 
Coast  overagainst  them  of  the  Macse,  a  Nation  of  Arabia,  is 
50  Miles.  Three  Islands,  of  which  Organa  only  is  inhabited, 
having  Abundance  of  Fresh  Water,  and  distant  from  the  Con- 
tinent 25  Miles :  four  Islands  in  the  very  Gulf  before  Persia. 
About  these  Islands  Sea  Serpents,  twenty  Cubits  long,  as  they 
came  swimming  toward  them,  put  the  Fleet  in  great  Terror. 
The  Island  Acrotadus :  likewise  the  Gauratse,  wherein  the 
Nation  of  the  Chiani  inhabit.  In  the  middle  of  the  Persian 
Gulf  is  the  River  Hiperis,  able  to  bear  Ships  of  Burden.  The; 


134  History  of  Nature.  [ BOOK  VI. 

River  Sitiogagus,  upon  which  a  Man  may  pass  in  seven  Days 
to  the  Pasargadae.  A  River  that  is  Navigable  called  Phir- 
stimus,  and  an  Island  without  a  Name.  The  River  Granius, 
which  runneth  through  Susiane,  carrieth  but  small  Vessels. 
Along  the  Right  Bank  of  this  River  dwell  the  Deximontani, 
who  prepare  Bitumen.  The  River  Oroatis,  with  a  difficult 
Mouth,  except  to  skilful  Pilots:  two  little  Islands.  Past 
which,  the  Sea  is  very  shallow,  like  a  Marsh,  but  there  are 
some  Channels  wherein  they  may  sail.  The  Mouth  of  the 
Euphrates.  The  Lake  which  the  Eulseus  and  Tigris  make, 
near  to  Characis.  Then  on  the  Tigris,  Susa.  There  they 
found  Alexander  keeping  Feast-days  of  Festivity  in  the 
seventh  Month  after  he  had  parted  from  them  at  Patalae, 
and  the  third  Month  of  his  Voyage.  And  thus  much  con- 
cerning the  Voyage  of  Alexanders  Fleet.  Afterwards 
from  Syagrus,  a  Promontory  in  Arabia,  it  was  counted  to 
Patale  1332  Miles,  and  that  the  West  Wind,  which  the 
people  of  that  Country  call  Hypalus,  was  thought  most  pro- 
per to  sail  with  to  the  same  Place.  The  Age  ensuing  dis- 
covered a  shorter  and  safer  Course  ;  namely,  if  from  the  said 
Promontory  they  set  their  Course  directly  to  the  River  Zize- 
rus,  an  Harbour  in  India.  And  in  truth  this  Passage  was 
sailed  for  a  long  time,  until  at  length  a  Merchant  found  out 
a  more  compendious  Course,  and  India  was  brought  near 
for  Gain :  for  every  Year  they  sailed  thither,  and  because 
Pirates  very  much  infest  them,  they  embark  in  their  Ships 
Companies  of  Archers.  And  because  all  these  Seas  are  now 
first  certainly  discovered,  it  is  not  amiss  to  shew  the  whole 
Course  from  Egypt.  It  is  worthy  to  be  observed,  that  there 
is  not  a  Year  but  it  costs  our  State  to  furnish  into  India, 
500,000  Sesterces,  (fifty  millions  of  Sesterces.)  For  which 
the  Indians  send  back  Merchandise,  which  at  Rome  is 
sold  for  a  hundred  times  as  much  as  it  cost.  From  Alex- 
andria it  is  two  Miles  to  Juliopolis  :  from  whence  on  the 
Nilus  they  sail  303  Miles  to  Coptus,  which  may  be  done  in 
twelve  Days,  with  the  Etesian  Winds  blowing.  From  Cop- 
tus they  travel  upon  Camels  ;  and  for  the  sake  of  Water 
there  are  Places  appointed  for  Lodging.  The  first  is  called 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  135 

Hydreuma,  32  Miles.  The  second,  one  Day's  Journey,  in  a 
Mountain.  The  third,  at  another  Hydreuma,  95  Miles  from 
Coptus.  The  fourth,  again,  in  a  Mountain.  Again,  at  the 
Hydreuma  of  Apollo,  from  Coptus,  184  Miles.  Again,  in  a 
Hill.  And  then  to  Hydreuma  the  New,  from  Coptus,  234 
Miles.1  There  is  another  called  Hydreuma  the  Old,  named 
also  Troglodyticum,  where,  two  Miles  out  of  the  direct  way,  is 
a  Garrison,  four  Miles  distant  from  New  Hydreuma.  From 
thence  to  the  Town  Berenice,  where  is  an  Harbour  of  the 
Red  Sea,  258  Miles  from  Coptus.  But  as  the  Journey  is  for 
the  most  part  performed  by  Night,  because  of  the  excessive 
Heat,  and  Travellers  rest  all  the  Day,  twelve  Days  are  set 
down  for  the  whole  Journey  between  Coptus  and  Berenice. 
They  begin  to  sail  at  Midsummer,  before  or  close  upon  the 
rising  of  the  Dog-star  ;  and  in  about  30  Days  they  arrive  at 
Ocelis  in  Arabia,  or  else  at  Cana,  within  the  Country  of  In- 
cense. A  third  Port  there  is  besides,  called  Muza,  to  which 
there  is  no  Resort  of  the  Merchants  of  India  :  neither  by  any 
but  Merchants  that  traffic  in  Incense  and  Spices  of  Arabia. 
The  Indus  hath  Towns.2  Its  Region  is  called  Saphar :  and 
another  called  Sabe.  But  for  them  that  would  make  a 
Journey  to  the  Indians,  the  most  commodious  place  from 
whence  to  set  forward  is  Ocelis :  for  from  thence,  and  with 
the  West  Wind  called  Hypalus,  they  have  a  passage  of  forty 
Days'  Sailing  to  the  first  Town  of  Merchandise  in  India, 
called  Muziris.  However,  this  Port  is  not  to  be  ventured 
in,  because  of  the  neighbouring  Pirates,  which  keep  ordi- 
narily about  a  place  called  Hydrae ;  and  it  is  not  richly 
stored  with  Merchandise.  And  moreover,  the  Station  of  the 
Ships  is  far  from  the  Land,  so  that  they  must  convey  their 
Wares  in  little  Boats  which  they  use  for  the  purpose.  At 
the  time  when  this  Account  was  written,  the  King  that 
reigned  there  was  named  Celebotkras.  There  is  another 
Harbour  that  is  more  commodious,  belonging  to  the  Nation 

1  So  as  it  appeareth  that  every  day's  journey  was  about  thirty-two 
miles. 

2  This  is  an  unfinished  sentence,  perhaps  from  the  author's  not  being 
able  to  obtain  the  names  of  these  towns. —  Wcrn.  Club. 


136  History  of  Nature,  [BooK  VI. 

Necanidon,  which  they  call  Becare:  the  King's  Name  at 
present  is  Pandion  ;  far  off  is  another  Town  of  Merchandise 
within  the  Land,  called  Modusa.  The  Region  from  whence 
they  transport  Pepper  in  small  Lighters  made  of  one  piece 
of  Wood  to  Becare,  is  named  Cotona  :  of  all  which  Nations, 
Ports,  and  Towns,  there  is  not  a  Name  found  in  any  of  the 
former  Writers.  By  which  it  appeareth,  that  there  hath 
been  great  Change  in  these  places.  From  India,  our  Mer- 
chants return  in  the  Beginning  of  our  Month  December, 
which  the  ^Egyptians  call  Tybis :  or  at  farthest  before  the 
Sixth  Day  of  the  .Egyptian  Month  Machiris,  which  is  before 
our  Ides  of  January  :  arid  by  this  reckoning  they  may  pass 
and  return  within  the  compass  of  One  Year.  When  they 
sail  from  India  they  have  the  (North-East)  Wind,  Vulturnus, 
with  them :  and  when  they  have  entered  into  the  Red  Sea, 
the  South  or  South-west.  Now  will  we  return  to  our  pro- 
posed Discourse  concerning  Carrnania :  the  Coast  of  which, 
after  the  reckoning  of  Nearchus,  may  take  in  Circuit  12,050 
Miles.  From  its  Beginning  to  the  River  Sabis  is  100  Miles; 
from  whence  as  far  as  to  the  River  Andanin,  are  Vineyards 
and  Corn-fields,  well  cultivated.  The  Region  is  called  Ar- 
muzia.  The  Towns  of  Carmania  are  Zetis  and  Alexandria. 
In  this  part  the  Sea  breaketh  into  the  Land  in  two  Arms ; 
which  our  Countrymen  call  the  Red  Sea,1  and  the  Greeks 
Erythraeum,  from  a  King  named  Erythras:  or  (as  some 
think)  because  the  Sea,  by  reason  of  the  Reflexion  of  the  Sun, 
seemeth  of  a  reddish  colour.  Others  suppose  that  this  Redness 
is  occasioned  of  the  Sand  and  Ground,  which  is  Red:  and  others 
again,  that  the  very  Water  is  of  its  own  nature  so  coloured, 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 
The  Persian  and  Arabian  Gulfs. 

THIS  Red  Sea  is  divided  into  Two  Gulfs.  That  from  the 
East  is  named  the  Persian  Gulf,  and  is  in  Circuit  2500  Miles, 

1  Another  reason  for  the  name  is  to  be  found  in  Esau,  the  son  of  the 
patriarch  Isaac,  and  whose  dominion  was  on  its  borders.  Bruce  and  others 
have  advanced  opinions  with  regard  to  the  origin  of  the  name  of  this  cele- 
brated sea  ;  but  its  most  ancient  name  may  be  rendered  the  Weedy  Sea. 
—  Wcrn.  Club. 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  137 

by  the  computation  of  Eratosthenes.  Overagainst  this  Gulf 
is  Arabia,  which  is  in  Length  1200  Miles.  On  the  other 
side  there  is  another  called  the  Arabian  Gulf,  which  runneth 
into  the  Ocean,  called  Azanius.  The  Mouth  of  the  Persian 
Gulf  is  Five  Miles  wide,  though  some  have  made  it  but 
Four.  From  this  to  its  deepest  recess,  by  a  straight  Course, 
is  known  to  be  1125  Miles;  and  it  is  fashioned  like  a  Man's 
Head.  Onesicritus  and  Nearchus  have  written,  that  from 
the  River  Indus  to  the  Persian  Gulf,  and  from  thence  to 
Babylon  by  the  Marshes  of  the  Euphrates,  is  2500  Miles. 
In  an  angle  of  Carmania  the  Chelonophagi  inhabit,  who  feed 
on  the  Flesh  of  Tortoises,  and  cover  their  Cottages  with  their 
Shells.  They  inhabit  from  the  River  Arbis  to  the  very  Cape, 
they  are  Hairy  over  all  their  Body  except  their  Heads,  and 
wear  no  other  Garment  but  Fish-skins. 

CHAPTER  XXV. 
The  Island  Cascandrus :  and  the  Kingdoms  of  the  Parthians. 

BEYOND  this  Tract  of  the  Chelonophagi,  toward  India, 
there  lieth,  Fifty  Miles  within  the  Sea,  the  Island  Cascan- 
drus, by  report  all  desert ;  and  near  it,  with  an  Arm  of  the 
Sea  between,  another  Island  called  Stois ;  having  a  lucrative 
Trade  in  Pearls.  Beyond  the  Cape  of  Carmania,  you  enter 
upon  the  Armozei.  Some  say,  that  the  Albii  are  between 
both ;  and  that  their  Coasts  contain  in  the  whole  402  Miles. 
There  are  the  Port  of  the  Macedonians,  and  the  Altars  of 
Alexander  on  the  very  Promontory  itself.  The  Rivers  Saga- 
nos,  and  then  Daras,  and  Salsos :  beyond  which  is  the  Cape 
Thernistheas,  and  the  Island  Aphrodisias,  which  is  inhabited. 
Then  beginneth  Persis,  which  extendeth  to  the  River  Oroatis, 
that  divideth  it  from  Elymais.  Overagainst  Persis,  these 
Islands,  Philos,  Cassandra,  and  Aratia,  with  an  exceeding 
high  Mountain  in  it :  and  this  Island  is  consecrated  to  Nep- 
tune. Persis  itself,  westward,  hath  the  Coasts  lying  out  in 
Length  450  Miles.  The  People  are  Rich,  even  to  Luxury; 
and  long  since  they  are  become  subject  to  the  Parthians,  and 
have  lost  their  own  Name.  We  will  briefly  now  speak  of 


138  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VI. 

their  Empire.  The  Parthians  have  in  all  Eighteen  Realms 
under  them  :  for  so  they  divide  the  Provinces  ahout  the 
Two  Seas,  as  we  have  said,  the  Red  Sea  lying  southward, 
and  the  Hircan  Sea,  toward  the  north.  Of  these  Eleven, 
which  are  called  the  Higher  Provinces,  take  their  beginning 
from  the  Border  of  Armenia,  and  the  Coasts  of  the  Caspian  ; 
and  they  reach  to  the  Scythians,  with  whom  they  have  equal 
Intercourse  on  the  other  side.  The  other  Seven  are  called 
the  Lower  Provinces.  As  for  the  Parthians,  their  Land 
always  lay  at  the  Foot  of  those  Mountains  of  which  we  have 
so  often  spoken,  which  enclose  all  those  Nations.  It  hath 
on  the  East  the  Arii,  and  southward  Carmania  and  the 
Ariani ;  on  the  west  side  the  Pratitae  and  Medi ;  and  on 
the  North  the  Hircani ;  and  is  compassed  about  with  Deserts. 
The  farthest  Nations  of  the  Parthians  are  called  Nomades : 
beyond  the  Deserts  their  Cities  toward  the  West,  are  Issaris 
and  Calliope,  of  which  we  have  written  before ;  but  toward 
the  North-east,  Europum ;  and  South-east,  Mania.  In  the 
Midland  the  City  Hecatompylos,  and  Arsacia.  The  noble 
Region  of  Nysaea  in  Parthyenes,  where  is  Alexandropolis, 
(so  called)  from  its  Founder. 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 
Media,  Mesopotamia,  Babylon,  and  Seleucia. 

IT  is  needful  in  this  place  to  describe  the  Situation  of  the 
Medi,  and  to  discover  the  Face  of  those  Countries,  as  far  as 
to  the  Persian  Sea,  in  order  that  the  Description  of  other 
Regions  may  be  the  better  understood.  For  Media  on  the 
West  runneth  obliquely,  confronteth  the  Parthiae,  and  en- 
closeth  both  these  Realms.  Therefore  on  the  East  side  it 
hath  the  Parthians  and  Caspians :  on  the  South,  Sittacene, 
Susiane,  and  Persis  ;  Westward,  Adiabene ;  and  Northward, 
Armenia.  The  Persians  always  dwelt  about  the  Red  Sea,  on 
which  account  it  was  called  the  Persian  Gulf.  The  Mari- 
time Coast  thereabout  is  called  Cyropolis,  and  that  part 
which  bordereth  upon  the  Medes  Elymais.  There  is  a  Place 
called  Megala,  in  the  ascent  of  a  steep  Mountain,  through  a 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  139 

narrow  Passage  by  Steps  to  Persepolis,  the  Head  of  the 
Kingdom,  and  destroyed  by  Alexander.  Moreover,  in  the 
Frontiers  standeth  Laodicea,  built  by  King  Antiochus. 
From  thence  towards  the  East  the  Magi  hold  the  Castle  of 
Passagardae,  wherein  is  the  Tomb  of  Cyrus.  Also  the  Town 
Ecbatana  belonging  to  the  Magi,  which  Darius  the  King 
caused  to  be  translated  to  the  Mountains.1  Between  the 
Parthians  and  the  Ariani  are  extended  the  Paraeraceni. 
These  Nations  and  the  River  Euphrates  serve  to  limit  the 
lower  Realms.  Now  are  we  to  discourse  of  the  Parts 
remaining  of  Mesopotamia  ;  setting  aside  one  point  thereof, 
and  the  People  of  Arabia,  whereof  we  spoke  in  the  former 
Book.  All  Mesopotamia  belonged  to  the  Assyrians,  dis- 
persed in  Villages,  except  Babylon  and  Ninus.  The  Mace- 
donians collected  it  into  Cities  on  account  of  the  goodness  of 
their  Soil.  Besides  the  above-named  Towns,  it  hath  Seleucia, 
Laodicea,  and  Artemita  :  likewise  within  the  Nation  of  the 
Arabians  named  Aroei  and  Mardani,  Antiochia :  and  that 
which,  being  founded  by  Nicanor,  Governor  of  Mesopotamia, 
is  called  Arabis.  Upon  these  join  the  Arabians,  but  within 
the  Country  are  the  Eldamarii.  Above  them  is  the  Town 
Bura,  situated  upon  the  River  Pelloconta ;  beyond  which  are 
the  Salmani  and  Masei,  Arabians.  Then  there  join  to  the 
Gordisei  the  Aloni,  by  whom  the  River  Zerbis  passeth,  and  so 
is  discharged  into  the  Tigris.  The  Azones  and  Silices,  Moun- 
taineers, together  with  the  Orentes ;  on  the  side  of  whom  the 
Town  Gaugamela.  Also  Sue  among  the  Rocks ;  above  are 
the  Sylici  and  Classitae,  through  whom  the  Lycus  runneth 
out  of  Armenia.  Toward  the  South-east,  Absittis,  and  the 
Town  Azochis.  Presently  in  the  Plains  the  Towns  Diospage, 
Polytelia,  Stratonicea,  and  Anthemus.  Nicephorion,  as  we 
have  already  said,  is  seated  near  the  River  Euphrates,  where 
Alexander  caused  it  to  be  founded,  for  the  convenient  Situ- 
ation of  the  Place.  Of  the  City  Apamia  we  have  before 

1  Pliny's  statement  as  to  the  building  of  the  palace,  and  indeed  the 
whole  city  of  Shushan,  by  Darius  Hystaspes,  is  contradicted  by  all  Greek 
and  Oriental  writers,  who  represent  the  city  as  extremely  ancient— vide 
"Home."—  Wern.  Club. 


1 40  History  of  Nature.  [  BOOK  V I . 

spoken  in  the  Description  of  Zeugma  :  from  which  they  that 
go  eastward  meet  with  a  strong  fortified  Town,  formerly 
in  Compass  65  Stadia,  and  called  the  Royal  Palace  of  their 
Satraps,  to  which  they  brought  Tributes ;  but  now  it  is 
formed  into  a  Castle.  But  there  continue  still  as  they 
were,  Hebata  and  Oruros,  unto  which,  by  the  Conduct  of 
Pompey  the  Great,  the  Bounds  of  the  Roman  Empire  were 
extended ;  and  it  is  from  Zeugma  250  Miles.  Some  Writers 
say  that  the  Euphrates  was  divided  by  a  Governor  of  Meso- 
potamia, and  one  Arm  of  it  brought  to  Gobaris  ;  which  was 
done  lest  the  River  should  endanger  the  City  of  Babylon. 
They  affirm,  moreover,  that  the  Assyrians  generally  called  it 
Armalchar,1  which  signifieth  a  Royal  River.  On  the  Place 
where  it  is  turned  there  stood  Agrani,  one  of  the  greatest 
Towns  of  that  Region,  which  the  Persians  utterly  destroyed. 
Babylon,2  the  Capital  of  the  Chaldean  Nations,  for  a  long 
time  possessed  an  illustrious  Name  through  all  the  World  :  in 
regard  of  which  the  other  Part  of  Mesopotamia  and  Assyria 
was  named  Babylonia  :  and  embracing  60  Miles.  The  Walls 
were  200  Feet  in  Height,  and  50  broad  :  reckoning  to  every 
Foot  three  Fingers'  Breadth  more  than  our  ordinary  Mea- 
sure. Through  the  midst  passeth  the  River  Euphrates :  with 
a  wonderful  Work,  on  both  Sides.  To  this  Day  the  Temple 

1  Or  rather,  Nahal  Nalca,  i.  e.  the  King's  River. 

2  Herodotus,  in  the  first  book  of  his  history,  describes  this  most 
splendid  of  cities ;  the  walls  of  which  were  classed  among  the  wonders  of 
the  world.    But  contrary  to  the  report  by  which  Pliny  professes  to  be 
guided,  this  ancient  Greek  author  represents  them  to  have  been  built  in 
the  form  of  a  square ;  and  although  the  lapse  of  time  may  have  caused  a 
variety  of  changes  to  take  place  in  other  particulars  regarding  this  city, 
we  can  scarcely  suppose  that  these  changes  can  have  extended  to  the 
dimensions  or  situation  of  its  stupendous  walls ;  by  which  alone  its  form 
would  be  influenced.     It  is  surprising  that  among  the  authors  which 
Pliny  had  consulted  in  drawing  up  his  account  of  these  regions,  he  makes 
no  mention  of  this  illustrious  Greek  writer,  though  he  quotes  him  in 
other  places.     Philostratus,  Solinus,  Diodorus,    Quintus  Curtius,  and 
more  especially  the  Bible,  may  be  consulted  for  a  variety  of  curious  par- 
ticulars regarding  this  eminent  and  powerful  city,  whose  walls  and 
splendour  are  now  burkd  in  a  desert. —  Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  141 

of  Jupiter  J3elus  continueth  there  entire.  He  was  the  first 
Discoverer  of  the  Science  of  the  Stars.  Nevertheless  it  is 
reduced  to  a  Desert,  having  been  exhausted  by  Seleucia, 
which  standeth  near  it :  and  which  was  for  that  very  purpose 
built  by  Nicator  within  the  Fortieth  Stone,  at  the  Place  of 
meeting  of  the  New  Channel  of  Euphrates  with  the  Tigris : 
nevertheless  it  is  named  Babylonia,  a  free  State  at  this  Day, 
of  independent  Jurisdiction;  but  they  live  after  the  Man- 
ners of  the  Macedonians.  And  by  report  there  are  600,000 
common  Citizens.  The  Position  of  the  Walls,  by  report,  is 
in  the  form  of  an  Eagle  spreading  out  her  Wings  :  and  the 
Soil  is  the  most  Fertile  in  all  the  East.  The  Parthians, 
again,  to  exhaust  this  City,  built  Ctesiphon  within  the  Third 
Stone  from  it,  in  Chalonitis ;  which  now  is  the  Head 
of  the  Kingdom.  But  when  it  advanced  nothing,  King 
Vologesus  founded  another  Town  near  it,  called  Vologeso 
Certa.  There  are  also  in  Mesopotamia  the  Cities  Hyp- 
parenum,  a  City  likewise  of  the  Chaldaeans,  and  ennobled 
for  Learning,  and,  as  well  as  Babylon,  situated  near  the 
River  Narraga,  which  gave  the  Name  to  the  City.  The 
Persians  destroyed  the  Walls  of  this  Hypparenum.  There  are 
also  in  this  Tract  the  Orcheni,  toward  the  south  ;  and  a  Third 
Sect  of  the  Chaldseans.  Beyond  this  Region  are  the  Notitse, 
Orthophantse,  and  Graeciochantse.  Nearchus  and  Onesi- 
critus  report,  That  from  the  Persian  Sea  to  Babylon,  by  the 
Voyage  up  the  Euphrates,  is  412  Miles.  But  later  Writers 
count  from  Seleucia  490  Miles.  Juba  writeth,  that  from 
Babylon  to  Charax  is  175  Miles.  Some. affirm  that  beyond 
Babylon  the  River  Euphrates  floweth  in  one  Channel  87 
Miles,  before  it  is  divided  to  water  the  Country  :  its  entire 
Course  being  1200  Miles.  This  variety  in  Authors  is  the  cause 
of  the  Uncertainty  of  the  Measure,  considering  that  even  the 
very  Persians  agree  not  about  the  Dimensions  of  their 
Schceni  and  Parasangae,  but  have  different  Measures  of  them. 
Where  the  River  Euphrates  ceaseth  to  defend  by  its  own 
Channel,  at  the  portion  approaching  the  Border  of  Charax, 
there  is  great  danger  of  the  Robbers  called  Attalae,  a  Nation 
of  the  Arabians.  Beyond  them  are  the  Scenitae.  The  Arabian 


142  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VI. 

Nomades  occupy  the  circuit  of  the  Euphrates,  as  far  as  to  the 
Deserts  of  Syria :  from  which  place  we  said  that  it  turned 
into  the  South,  abandoning  the  Deserts  of  Palmyra.1  From 
the  beginning  of  Mesopotamia  to  Seleucia,  by  sailing  on  the 
Euphrates,  is  1125  Miles ;  and  from  the  Red  Sea,  if  you  go 
by  the  Tigris,  320  Miles  ;  from  Zeugma  527  Miles  ;  and  to 
Zeugma  from  Seleucia  in  Syria,  upon  the  Coast  of  our  Sea, 
is  175  Miles.  This  is  the  Breadth  there  of  the  Land  between 
the  two  Seas.  The  Kingdoms  of  Parthia  contain  944  Miles. 
Finally,  there  is  a  Town  of  Mesopotamia  on  the  Bank  of  the 
Tigris,  near  where  the  Rivers  meet,  which  they  call  Digba. 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 
The  River  Tigris. 

IT  is  also  convenient  to  say  somewhat  of  the  River  Tigris 
itself.  It  beginneth  in  the  Region  of  Armenia  the  Greater, 
issuing  out  of  a  great  Source  in  the  Plain.  The  place  beareth 
the  Name  of  Elongosine.  The  River  itself,  so  long  as  it  run- 
neth slowly,  is  named  Diglito ;  but  when  it  beginneth  to  be 
rapid,  it  is  called  Tigris,  which  in  the  Median  language  sig- 
nifieth  a  Dart.  It  runneth  into  the  Lake  Arethusa,  which 
beareth  up  all  that  is  cast  into  it;  and  the  Vapours  that  arise 
out  of  it  carry  Clouds  of  Nitre.  In  this  Lake  there  is  but 
one  kind  of  Fish,  and  that  entereth  not  into  the  Channel  of 
the  Tigris  as  it  passeth  through ;  as  likewise  the  Fishes  of 
the  Tigris  do  not  swim  out  into  the  Water  of  the  Lake.  In 
its  Course  and  Colour  it  is  unlike  the  other :  and  when  it  is 
past  the  Lake  and  meeteth  the  Mountain  Taurus,  it  loseth 
itself  in  a  Cave,  and  so  runneth  under,  until  on  the  other 

1  This  is  Tadmor  in  the  wilderness,  built  by  Solomon,  king  of  Israel, 
and  further  illustrious  from  being  the  city  where  the  critic  Longinus  was 
the  prime  minister  of  the  Queen  Zenobia.  It  is  now  truly  in  a  wilder- 
ness, but  is  still  celebrated  for  its  remains  of  antiquity :  chiefly  of  Greek 
construction.  There  are  many  streams  coming  down  from  the  adjacent 
mountains,  and  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  if  a  settled  tribe  fixed 
themselves  there,  the  tract  would  become  as  fine  an  oasis  as  ever. — 
Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  143 

Side  it  breaketh  forth  again  in  a  Place  which  is  called  Zoro- 
anda.  That  it  is  the  same  River  is  evident  by  this,  that  it 
carrieth  through  whatever  was  cast  into  it.  After  this  second 
Spring,  it  runneth  through  another  Lake,  named  Thospites, 
and  again  taketh  its  Way  under  the  Earth  through  Gutters, 
and  25  Miles  beyond  it  is  returned  about  Nymphaeum. 
Claudius  Ccesar  reporteth,  that  in  the  Country  Arrhene,  it 
runneth  so  near  to  the  River  Arsanias,  that  when  they  both 
swell  they  join,  but  without  mingling  their  Water;  for  Arsa- 
nias, being  the  lighter,  floateth  over  the  other,  for  almost  the 
Space  of  four  Miles ;  but  soon  after  they  part  asunder,  and  it 
turneth  its  Course  toward  the  River  Euphrates,  into  which 
it  entereth.  But  Tigris  receiving  the  famous  Rivers  out  of 
Armenia  :  Parthenis,  Agnice,  and  Pharion,  so  dividing  the 
Arabians,  Aroeans,  and  the  Adiabeni,  and  by  this  means 
making,  as  we  have  said,  Mesopotamia  to  be  an  Island,  after 
it  hath  passed  by  and  viewed  the  Mountains  of  the  Gordiaei, 
near  Apamia,  a  Town  of  Mesene  on  this  side  Seleucia,  sur- 
named  Babylonia,  125  Miles.  Dividing  itself  into  two  Chan- 
nels, with  the  one  it  runneth  southward  to  Seleucia,  watering 
the  Country  of  Mesene  ;  and  with  the  other  it  windeth  to 
the  north,  on  the  back  of  the  said  Mesene,  and  cutteth 
through  the  Plains  of  the  Cauchians.  When  these  two 
Branches  are  united  again,  it  is  called  Pasitigris.  After  this 
it  receiveth  out  of  Media  the  Coaspes  ;  and  so  passing  be- 
tween Seleucia  and  Ctesiphon,  as  we  have  said,  it  poureth 
itself  into  the  Lakes  of  Chaldeea,  which  it  replenisheth  with 
Water  for  the  Compass  of  threescore  and  ten  Miles  :  which 
done,  it  issueth  forth,  gushing  out  with  a  very  great  Stream, 
and  on  the  right  of  the  Town  Charax  is  discharged  into  the 
Persian  Sea,  by  a  Mouth  ten  Miles  over.  Between  the 
Mouths  of  these  two  Rivers  were  25  Miles,  or,  as  some  say, 
seven:  and  both  of  them  were  navigable.  But  the  Orcheni 
and  other  neighbouring  Inhabitants  long  since  turned  the 
Course  of  Euphrates  aside  to  water  their  Fields,  insomuch 
that  it  is  conveyed  into  the  Sea,  only  through  the  Tigris. 
The  next  Country  bordering  upon  the  Tigris  is  called  Para- 
potamia  :  in  it  is  Mesene,  of  which  we  have  spoken.  Its 


144  History  of  Nature.  [  BOOK  VI. 

Town  is  Dibitach.  Chalonitis  is  joined  with  Ctesiphon,  noble 
not  only  with  Date-trees,  but  also  with  Olive,  Apple,  and 
Pear-trees,  and  generally  with  all  sorts  of  Fruit.  Unto  this 
Country  extendeth  the  Mountain  Zagrus,  coming  out  of  Ar- 
menia, between  the  Medes  and  Adiabeni,  above  Pareetacene 
and  Persis.  Chalonitis  is  distant  from  Persis  480  Miles. 
Some  write,  that  by  the  nearest  Way  it  is  so  much  from  the 
Caspian  Sea  to  Assyria.  Between  these  Nations  and  Mesene 
lieth  Sittacene,  the  same  that  is  called  Arbelitis  and  Palaes- 
tine.  The  Towns  therein  are  Sittace  of  the  Graecians,  toward 
the  east,  and  Sabata ;  but  on  the  West,  Antiochia,  between 
two  Rivers,  Tigris  and  Tornadotus.  Also  Apamia,  which 
Antiochus  so  called  after  his  Mother's  Name.  This  City 
is  environed  with  the  River  Tigris,  and  divided  by  the  River 
Archous.  Somewhat  lower  is  Susiane,  wherein  (is)  Susa, 
the  ancient  Region  of  the  Persians,  founded  by  Darius,  the 
Son  of  Hystaspes ;  and  from  Seleucia  Babylonia,  it  is  distant 
450  Miles ;  and  as  much  from  Ecbatana  of  the  Medes, 
through  the  Mountain  Charbanus.  Upon  that  Channel  of 
the  Tigris  which  taketh  its  Course  northward,  standeth  the 
Town  Babytace  :  and  from  Susa  it  is  135  Miles.  The  People 
of  this  Country  are  the  only  Men  in  the  World  that  hate 
Gold :  and  they  bury  it,  that  it  may  serve  for  no  use  to  any 
one.  To  the  Susiani  eastward  are  joined  the  Cossisei  Rob- 
bers, and  forty  Nations  of  the  Mizeei,  free  and  wild.  Above 
these  lie  the  Parthusi,  Mardi,  Saitae,  and  Hyi,  who  are 
spread  abroad  above  Elemais,  which  joineth  to  the  maritime 
Coasts  of  Persis,  as  is  above  said.  Susa  is  from  the  Persian 
Sea  250  Miles.  On  that  Side  where  the  Fleet  of  Alexander 
came  up  the  Pasitigris,  there  standeth  a  Village  upon  the 
Lake  Chaldais,  named  Aphle :  from  which  to  Susa  is  65| 
Miles  by  Water.  The  next  that  border  upon  the  Susiani 
eastward  are  the  Cossaei  ;  and  above  the  Cossaei  northward 
lieth  Mesobatene,  under  the  Mountain  Cambiladus,  which  is 
a  Branch  of  the  Caucasus :  and  from  thence  is  the  most  easy 
Passage  to  the  Bactri.  The  River  Euleeus  maketh  a  Parti- 
tion between  Elimais  and  Susiane.  This  River  riseth  in  the 
Country  of  the  Medi,  and  in  the  midst  of  its  Course  loseth 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  145 

itself  in  the  Ground  ;  but  rising  again,  and  running  through 
Mesobatene,  it  passeth  round  the  Castle  of  the  Susi  and  the 
Temple   of  Diana,  the  most  august  Temple  among  those 
Nations  :   and   the  very  River  itself  is   ceremoniously  re- 
garded :  so  that  the  Kings  drink  of  no  other ,  and  therefore 
they  carry  it  to  a  great  distance.     It  receiveth  the  River 
Hedypnus,  which  cometh  along  by  the  Asylum  of  the  Per- 
sians, and  one  from  among  the  Susiani.    A  Town  there  is  near 
it,  called  Magoa,  15  Miles  fromCharax.  Some  place  this  Town 
in  the  utmost  Borders  of  Susiana,  close  to  the  Deserts.     Be- 
neath Eulaeus  lieth  Elymais,  joining  to  Persis  on  the  Sea- 
coast  ;  it  is  240  Miles  from  the  River  Oroates  to  Charax.  The 
Towns  in  it  are  Seleucia  and  Sositare,  situated  upon  the 
Mountain  Casyrus.     The  Coast  which  lieth  before  it  is,  as 
we  have  said  before,  no  less  dangerous  than  the  Lesser  Syrtes, 
because  of  the  Mud  and  Slime  which  the  Rivers  Brixia  and 
Ortacea  bring  down ;  and  Elimais  itself  is  so    moist   that 
there  is  no  Way  to  Persis  but  by  taking  a  Circuit  about 
it.     It  is  also  much  infested  with  Serpents,  which   those 
Rivers  bring  down :  but  that  part  of  it  is  the  least  passable 
which  they  call  Characene,  from  the  Town  (Charax),  which 
limiteth  the  Kingdoms  of  Arabia  :  of  which  we  will  speak 
by  and  by,  after  we  have  set  down  the  Opinion  of  M.Agrippa; 
for  he  hath  written,  that  Media,  Parthia,  and  Persis,  are 
bounded  on  the  East  by  the  Indus ;  on  the  West,  by  the 
Tigris  ;  on  the  North,  by  the  Taurus  and  Caucasus ;  and  on 
the  South,  by  the  Red  Sea :  also,  that  they  extend  in  Length 
1320  Miles,  and  in  Breadth  840.     Moreover,  that  Mesopo- 
tamia by  itself  is  enclosed  eastward  by  the  Tigris,  westward  by 
the  Euphrates ;  on  the  North  by  the  Taurus,  and  on  the  South 
by  the  Persian  Sea;  being  in  Length  800  Miles,  and  in 
Breadth  360.     Charax  is  the  inmost  Town  of  the  Persian 
Gulf,  from  which  Arabia,  called  Eudsemon  (happy)  runneth 
forth  in  Length ;  it  is  situated  upon  a  Mount  artificially 
raised  between  the  Confluence  of  Tigris  on  the  right  Hand, 
and  Eulseus  on  the  left :  with  an  Expansion  of  three  Miles. 
It  was  first  founded  by  Alexander  the  Great ;  who,  having 
drawn  ColonLts  out  of  the  royal  City  Durine  (which  then 

VOL.  II.  L 


1 46  History  of  Nature.  [  BOOK  V I . 

was  ruined),  and  leaving  there  behind  him  those  Soldiers 
which  were  not  fit  for  service,  ordained  that  this  Town  should 
be  called  Alexandria ;  and  the  District  about  it,  Pellseum, 
from  his  native  Country  :  and  he  peopled  it  only  with  Mace- 
donians. This  Town  was  destroyed  by  the  Rivers.  After- 
wards, Antiochus,  the  fifth  of  the  Kings,  rebuilt  it,  and 
named  it  from  himself.  But  when  it  was  injured  again, 
Spasines,  Son  of  Soadonacus,  King  of  the  adjoining  Arabians, 
and  not  (as  Juba  reporteth)  a  Lord  (Satrap)  under  Antiochus, 
restored  it  by  Moles  opposite  each  other,  and  called  it  after 
his  own  Name.  He  thus  fortified  the  Site  of  it  three  Miles  in 
Length  and  little  less  in  Breadth.  At  the  beginning  it  stood 
upon  the  Sea-coast,  being  from  the  Water-side  ten  Stadia ; 
and  even  from  thence  it  hath  false  Galleries :  but  by  the 
Report  of  Juba,  in  his  Time,  50  Miles.  At  this  Day  the 
Arabian  Ambassadors,  and  also  our  Merchants  that  come  from 
thence,  affirm  it  is  from  the  Sea-shore  125  Miles :  so  that  it 
cannot  be  found  in  any  Place  that  the  Earth  hath  gained 
more,  or  in  so  short  a  Time  by  means  of  the  Mud  brought 
down  by  Rivers.  And  it  is  the  more  wonderful,  that  the 
Tide  which  riseth  far  beyond  this  Town  doth  not  carry  it 
away  again.  In  this  very  Town  I  am  not  ignorant  that 
Dionysius,  the  latest  of  our  modern  Geographers,  was  born  : 
whom  Divus  Augustus  sent  before  into  the  East  to  write  a 
Description  of  whatever  he  found,  for  the  Information  of  his 
elder  Son,  who  was  about  to  proceed  into  Armenia,  in  an 
Expedition  against  the  Parthians  and  Arabians.  It  has  not 
escaped  me,  nor  is  it  forgotten,  that  in  my  first  Entrance  into 
this  Work,  I  professed  to  follow  those  who  had  written  of 
their  own  Countries,  as  being  the  most  diligent  in  that  be- 
half. Nevertheless,  in  this  Place  I  choose  rather  to  follow 
the  Roman  Officers  that  have  warred  there,  and  King  Juba, 
in  Books  written  to  C.  Caesar  (Caligula)  concerning  the 
same  Arabian  Expedition. 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  147 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

Arabia,  Nomades,  JYabatcei,  and  Omani:  the  Islands  Tylos 
and  Ogyris. 

ARABIA  cometh  behind  none  of  the  Nations  for  its  great 
Length  and  Extent ;  for  it  beginneth  at  the  Descent  of  the 
Mountain  Amanus,  overagainst  Cilicia  and  Comagene,  as  we 
have  before  said ;  where  it  is  peopled  with  many  Nations  of 
them,  brought  by  Tigranes  the  Great  to  inhabit  that  Quarter; 
and  in  old  Time  it  descended  naturally  as  far  as  to  our  Sea 
and  the  Egyptian  Coast,  as  we  have  shewn :  yea,  and  it 
extendeth  into  the  midland  Parts  of  Syria  to  the  Mountain 
Libanus,  where  the  Hills  reach  to  the  very  Clouds :  to 
which  are  joined  the  Ramasi ;  then  the  Taranei,  and  after 
them  the  Patami.  The  Peninsula  itself  of  Arabia  runneth 
out  between  two  Seas,  the  Red  and  the  Persian,  by  a 
certain  Workmanship  of  Nature,  resembling  Italy  in  Form 
and  Magnitude,  with  its  Sea-coasts  also  in  the  manner  of 
Italy.  It  also  regardeth  the  same  Quarter  of  the  Heaven 
without  any  Difference.  This  Tract,  for  the  rich  Seat  it 
hath,  is  named  Felix  (happy).  The  Nations  therein  dwell- 
ing, from  our  Sea  to  the  Deserts  of  Palmyra,  we  have  treated 
of  already,  therefore  we  pass  them  by.  The  Nomades,  and 
those  Robbers  that  trouble  the  Chaldaeans,  the  People 
called  Scenitse,  border  on  it  as  we  have  before  said ;  they  also 
are  Wanderers,  but  are  so  called  from  their  Tabernacles, 
which  they  make  of  Hair-cloths,  and  they  encamp  under 
them  as  they  please.  Being  past  them  you  find  the  Nabataei, 
who  inhabit  a  Town  named  Petra,  in  the  Valley,  little  less 
than  two  Miles  large ;  environed  with  very  steep  Mountains, 
and  having  a  River  running  through  the  midst  of  it.  It 
is  distant  from  Gaza  (a  Town  of  our  Coast)  600  Miles ;  and 
from  the  Persian  Gulf,  122.  And  here  meet  both  the  High- 
ways, that  is,  the  one  which  Passengers  travel  to  Palmyra  in 
Syria,  and  the  other  wherein  they  come  from  Gaza.  Beyond 
Petra  the  Omani  inhabit  as  far  as  to  Carax,  in  the  celebrated 
Towns  built  by  Semiramis,  namely,  Abesamis  and  Soractia. 
But  now  all  is  a  Wilderness.  Then  come  you  to  a  Town 


148  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VI. 

named  Forath,  situated  upon  the  Bank  of  the  Pasitigris,  and 
subject  to  the  King  of  the  Caraceni :  to  which  they  resort 
from  Petra;  and  from  thence  to  Charax  they  sail  with  a 
favourable  Tide  for  the  Space  of  twelve  Miles.  But  they 
that  come  by  Water  out  of  the  Parthian  Kingdom,  meet  with 
a  Village  called  Teredon,  below  the  Place  where  Euphrates 
and  Tigris  meet.  The  Chaldaeans  inhabit  the  left  Bank  of 
the  River,  and  the  Nomades  called  Scenitse,  the  right.  Some 
affirm,  that  as  you  sail  on  the  Tigris,  you  pass  by  two  other 
Towns,  distant  from  each  other  :  the  one  called  formerly 
Barbatia,  and  afterwards  Thumata,  which  our  Merchants 
report  to  be  ten  Days'  Sail  from  Petra,  and  to  be  subject  to 
the  King  of  the  Characeni :  and  the  other  named  Apamia, 
situated  in  the  Place  where  the  Overflowing  of  Euphrates 
joineth  with  the  Tigris ;  and  therefore  they  prevent  the  In- 
vasion of  the  Parthians,  by  breaking  up  the  Banks  and  so 
procure  an  Inundation  of  the  Waters.  Now  being  past  Cha- 
rax, we  will  discourse  of  the  Coast  first  explored  by  Epi- 
phanes.  The  Place  where  the  Mouth  of  the  Euphrates  was. 
A  River  of  Salt  Water  ;  the  Promontory  Chaldone,  where  the 
Sea  is  more  like  a  Whirlpool  than  a  Sea,  for  50  Miles.  The 
River  Achana  ;  Deserts  for  100  Miles,  until  you  come  to  the 
Island  Ichara  :  the  Bay  Capeus,  which  the  Gaulopes  and 
Chateni  inhabit :  the  Bay  Gerraicus,  and  the  Town  Gerra, 
five  Miles  in  extent ;  and  fortified  with  Towers  made  of  square 
Masses  of  Salt.  Fifty  Miles  from  the  Sea-side  is  the  Region 
Attene :  and  overagainst  it  the  Island  Tylos,  as  many  Miles 
from  the  Shore,  with  a  Town  bearing  the  Name  of  the  Island, 
much  celebrated  for  Abundance  of  Pearls  :  and  not  far  from 
it  is  another  somewhat  less,  twelve  Miles  from  the  Cape  of 
the  aforesaid  Tylos.  Beyond  these  there  are  discovered  by 
Report  some  great  Islands ;  but  they  have  not  been  visited 
by  our  Merchants.  This  last  Island  is  112  Miles  and  a  half 
in  Circuit,  and  is  far  from  Persis ;  and  Access  to  it  is  only 
by  one  narrow  Channel.  The  Island  Asgilia  ;  the  Nations 
Nocheti,  Zurachi,  Borgodi,  Catarsei,  and  Nomades  :  the 
River  Cynos.  Beyond  that,  Juba  saith,  there  is  no  more 
Navigation  discovered  on  that  Side,  by  reason  of  the  Rocks. 
He  hath  made  no  mention  of  the  Town  Batrasabe  of  the 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  149 

Omani,  nor  of  Omana,  which  former  Geographers  have 
held  to  be  a  Harbour  of  great  Importance  in  Carmania. 
Also,  Omne  and  Athanae,  which  our  Merchants  report  to  be 
at  this  Day  two  very  famous  Towns,  frequented  from  the 
Persian  Gulf.  Beyond  the  River  Canis,  as  King  Juba 
writeth,  there  is  a  Hill  which  seemeth  all  scorched.  The 
Nations  of  the  Epimaranitae :  and  soon  after  the  Ichthyo- 
phagi  :  a  desert  Island  ;  the  Nations  Bathymi.  The  Moun- 
tains Eblitaei ;  the  Island  Omosnus ;  the  Port  Machorbae,  the 
Islands  Etaxalos,  Onchobrice,  the  Nation  Chadaei.  Many 
Islands  without  a  Name  :  but  of  Importance,  Isura,  Rhinnea  ; 
and  another  very  near,  wherein  are  Pillars  of  Stone  inscribed 
with  unknown  Characters.  The  Port  of  Gobrca;  and  the 
desert  Islands  Bragae.  The  Nation  of  the  Thaludeei  :  the 
Region  Dabanegoris :  the  Mountain  Orsa,  with  a  Port  : 
the  Bay  Duatus,  and  many  Islands.  The  Mountain  Tricory- 
phus :  the  Region  Cardalena,  the  Islands  Solanidae,  Capina. 
Also  the  Islands  of  the  Ichthyophagi :  and  after  them  the 
Glari.  The  Shore  called  Hammaeum,  where  are  Gold  Mines. 
The  Region  Canauna.  The  Nations  Apitami  and  Gasani. 
The  Island  Deuadae ;  the  Fountain  Goralus ;  the  Garpheti ; 
the  Islands  Aleu  and  Amnamethu.  The  Nation  called 
Darrae,  the  Islands  Chelonitis,  and  many  of  the  Ichthyo- 
phagi. The  Isle  Eodanda,  which  is  Desert,  and  Basage ; 
many  others  of  the  Sabaei.  The  Rivers  Thamar  and  Amnon  ; 
the  Islands  Dolicae ;  the  Fountains  Daulotes  and  Dora  ;  the 
Islands,  Pteros,  Labanis,  Coboris,  Sambracate,  with  a  Town 
so  named  on  the  Continent.  On  the  South  side  are  many 
Islands,  but  the  greatest  of  them  is  Camari.  The  River 
Mysecros ;  the  Port  Leupas,  and  the  Sabaeans,  called  Sce- 
nitae.  Many  other  Islands  ;  their  Chief  Town  of  Merchandise 
is  Acila,  where  the  Merchants  embark  for  their  Voyage  to 
India.  The  Region  Amithoscuta,  and  Damnia.  The  Mizi, 
the  Greater  and  Less  :  the  Drimati  and  Macae.  The  Promon- 
tory of  these  People  is  overagainst  Carmania,  and  distant 
from  it  50  Miles.  A  wonderful  thing  is  reported  there  :  that 
Ntimenius,  Chief  Commander  under  King  Antiochus,  over 
Mesena,  conquered  the  Navy  of  the  Persians  in  a  Sea-fight, 


150  History  of  Nature.  [Boos  VI. 

and  on  the  same  Day,  with  the  return  of  the  Tide,  sub- 
dued their  Horsemen :  in  memorial  of  which  he  erected  in 
the  same  Place  two  Trophies,  one  in  honour  of  Jupiter, 
and  the  other  of  Neptune.  Far  out  at  Sea  there  lieth  an 
Island  called  Ogyris,  distant  from  the  Continent  125  Miles, 
and  containing  in  Circuit  112;  much  renowned  for  the 
Sepulchre  of  King  Erythra,  who  was  buried  there.  Another 
there  is  no  less  famous,  called  Dioscoridu,  in  the  Sea  Aza- 
nium;  and  it  is  from  Syagrum,  the  extremest  Cape,  280 
Miles.  There  remain  yet  not  spoken  of,  the  Autarides, 
toward  the  South,  in  the  Mountains,  which  continue  for 
seven  Days'  journey :  the  Nations  Larendani,  Catabani,  and 
Gebanitas,  who  have  many  Towns,  but  the  greatest  are  Nagia 
and  Tamna,  with  65  Temples  within  it,  which  is  a  mark  how 
great  it  is.  A  Promontory,  from  which  to  the  Continent  of 
the  Trogloditae  is  50  Miles.  The  Toani,  Acchitae,  Chatra- 
motitae,  Tomabei,  Antidalei,  Lexianae,  Agrei,  Cerbani ;  and 
Sabaei,  of  all  the  Arabians  most  famous  for  their  Frankin- 
cense ;  their  Nations  reaching  from  Sea  to  Sea.  Their  Towns 
on  the  Coast  of  the  Red  Sea  are  Marane,  Marma,  Corolia, 
and  Sabatra;  within-land  are  the  Towns  Nascus,  Cardava, 
Carnus,  and  Tomala,  whence  they  convey  their  Commodities 
of  Aromatics.  One  part  of  them  are  the  Atramitae,  whose 
Capital  City,  Sobotale,  had  within  its  Walls  Sixty  Temples. 
But  the  Royal  City  of  the  whole  is  Nariaba,  situated  on  a 
Gulf  that  reacheth  into  the  Land  ninety-four  Miles,  full  of 
Islands,  having  Odoriferous  Trees.  Upon  the  Atramitse, 
within  the  Mainland,  are  joined  the  Minoei :  but  the  Ela- 
mitae  inhabit  the  Sea  (Coast),  where  standeth  a  City  also  called 
Elamitum.  To  them  are  joined  the  Cagulatae ;  and  their 
Town  is  Siby,  which  the  Greeks  name  A  pate.  Then  the 
Arsicodani,  and  Vadei,  with  a  great  Town  :  and  the  Barasei : 
Lichenia,  and  the  Island  Sygaros,  which  Dogs  will  not  enter ; 
and  if  any  be  put  there,  they  wander  about  the  Shore  until 
they  die.  A  Deep  Bay,  in  which  are  the  Leanitae,  who  gave 
name  to  it.  Their  Royal  City  is  Agra :  but  Leana,  or,  as 
others  have  it,  ./Elana,  is  in  the  Bay.  And  hence  our 
Writers  have  called  that  Bay  ^Elaniticum,  which  others 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  151 

hare  termed  JElenaticum ;  Artemid&rus,  Aleniticum  ;  and 
Juba,  Laeniticum.  Arabia  is  reported  to  take  in  Circuit  from 
Charax  to  Leana,  4870  Miles ;  but  Jvba  thinketh  it  some- 
what less  than  4000.  It  is  widest  in  the  North  Parts,  be- 
tween the  Towns  Herons  and  Charace.  Now  it  remaineth 
that  we  speak  of  other  Parts  within  the  Midland  thereof. 
The  Ancients  joined  the  Nabatsei  to  the  Thimanei ;  but  at 
this  Day  there  are  the  Taveni,  Suelleni,  and  Sarraceni :  the 
Town  is  Arra,  wherein  all  Business  is  assembled.  The  He- 
mnatae  and  Analitae ;  the  Towns  Domada  and  Erage ;  the 
Thamusians,  with  their  Town  Badanatha ;  the  Carrei,  and 
their  Town  Chariati ;  the  Achoali,  and  their  Town  Phoda. 
Furthermore,  the  Minaei,  descended,  as  some  think,  from 
Minos,  King  of  Crete ;  whose  Town  Charmiei  is  14  Miles  (in 
Compass);  Mariaba,  Baramalacnm,  a  Town  not  to  be  de- 
spised ;  likewise  Carnon,  and  the  Rhamei,  who  are  thought 
to  spring  from  Rhadauumthus,  the  Brother  of  Minos.  The 
Homeritae,  with  the  Town  Massala;  the  Hamirci,  Gedra- 
nitse,  Anaprae,  Ilisanitae,  Bochilitae,  Sammei,  and  Amathei ; 
with  the  Towns,  Nessa  and  Cennesseri.  The  Zamareni,  with 
the  Towns  Saiace,  Scantate,  and  Bacascani ;  the  Town  Rhi- 
phearma,  which  in  the  Arabian  Tongue  signifieth  Barley ; 
also  the  Autei,  Raui,  Gyrei,  and  Marhataei ;  the  Helmodones, 
with  the  Town  Ebode ;  the  Agacturi  in  the  Mountains,  hav- 
ing a  Town  20  Miles  in  Circuit,  wherein  is  a  Fountain  called 
Emischabales,  which  signifies  the  Camel's  Town ;  Ampelone, 
a  Colony  of  the  Milesii ;  the  Town  Actrida;  the  Calingii, 
whose  Town  is  named  Mariaba,  which  signifies  Lords  of  all. 
Towns  Pallon  and  Murannimal,  near  a  River,  by  which  they 
think  that  the  Euphrates  springeth  forth.  The  Nations 
Agrei  and  Ammonii;  the  Town  Athens;  the  Caurarani, 
which  signifieth  very  rich  in  Cattle.  The  Caranitse,  Csesani, 
and  Choani.  There  were  also  Towns  in  Arabia,  held  by 
Greeks,  as  Arethusa,  Larissa,  and  Chalcis,  which  were 
destroyed  in  various  Wars.  The  only  Roman  until  this  day 
that  carried  our  Arms  into  those  Parts  was  JElix*  Gallus,  of 
the  Knightly  Order.  For  GUMS  C&sar,  the  Son  of  Augustus, 
did  but  look  only  into  Arabia ;  but  Galbis  destroyed  Towns, 
not  named  by  Authors  that  wrote  before:  Egra,  Annestum, 


152  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VI. 

Esca,  Magusurn,  Tammacum,  Labecia,  and  the  above-named 
Marieba,  in  Circuit  Six  Miles  :  likewise  Caripeta,  the  furthest 
that  he  went  to.  The  other  matters  he  made  report  of  were, 
that  the  Nomades  live  on  Milk  and  Wild  Animals  ;  the  rest 
express  Wine,  as  the  Indians  do,  out  of  Dates ;  and  Oil  of 
Sesama.  That  the  Homerites  are  the  most  Populous ;  the 
Minaei  have  Fruitful  Fields,  full  of  Palm-trees  and  Vine- 
yards, but  their  Riches  is  in  Cattle.  The  Cembani  and 
Arii  excel  in  Arras,  but  chiefly  the  Chatramotitae.  The 
Caraeans  have  the  largest  Territories  and  most  Fertile 
Fields.  The  Sabaei  are  Richest  in  the  Fertility  of  their 
Woods,  that  bring  forth  Aromatic  Gums  :  also  in  Mines  of 
Gold ;  having  Water  to  refresh  their  Lands,  and  plenty  of 
Honey  and  Wax.  Of  the  Spices  that  come  from  thence  we 
will  speak  in  a  Book  by  itself.  The  Arabians  wear  Mitres,1 
or  go  with  their  Hair  long ;  their  Beards  they  shave,  except 
on  the  upper  Lip ;  and  yet  some  there  are  that  suffer  their 
Beards  to  grow  long.  But  one  thing  is  surprising,  that  out 
of  such  a  very  great  number  of  People,  the  one-half  live  by 
Robbery,  and  the  other  by  Merchandise.  On  the  whole 
they  are  exceedingly  rich ;  for  with  them  the  Romans  and 
Parthians  leave  very  large  Sums,  for  the  Commodities  out 
of  their  Woods  and  Seas  which  they  sell  them ;  and  them- 
selves buy  nothing  of  them  in  return.  Now  will  we  speak  of 
the  other  Coast  opposite  to  Arabia.  Timosthenes  hath  set 
down,  that  the  whole  Gulf  was  from  one  End  to  the  other 
Four  Days'  Sailing :  and  from  Side  to  Side,  Two  Days' ;  the 
Breadth  of  the  Straits  being  Seven  Miles  over.  Eratosthenes 
saith,  that  taking  the  Measure  at  the  very  Mouth,  it  is  every 
way  1300  Miles. 

CHAPTER  XXIX. 

The  Gulf  of  the  Red  Sea :  likewise  of  the  Trogloditic  and 
^Ethiopian  Seas. 

ARTEMIDORUS  saith,  that  the  Red  Sea  toward  the  side  of 
Arabia  is  1450  Miles :  but  on  the  Coast  of  the  T  rogloditse  1 1 82, 

1  It  is  a  question  whether  these  are  not  rather  turbans,  as  at  present 
extensively  worn  through  Asia. — Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  153 

until  you  come  to  Ptolemais  :  but  Agrippa  1322,  without  any 
distinction  of  the  Sides.  Most  Geographers  have  set  down 
the  Breadth  to  be  462  Miles :  and  the  Mouth  of  it  against 
the  Sun-rising  in  Winter,  (i.  e.  South-west)  some  say,  is  7 
Miles  Broad ;  and  others  12.  The  Situation  of  it  is  this : 
Beyond  the  Bay  called  ^Elaniticus  there  is  another  Bay 
which  the  Arabians  call  TEant,  on  which  standeth  the  Town 
Heroon.  There  was  also  Cambisu,  between  the  Neli  and 
Marchandae,  into  which  the  sick  Soldiers  were  conveyed. 
The  Nation  of  Tyra  ;  the  Port  Daneon,  from  which  Sesostris, 
King  of  Egypt,  was  the  first  that  imagined  to  conduct  a 
Navigable  Channel  into  the  Nile,  in  that  part  where  it 
runneth  to  the  Place  called  Delta,  for  the  Space  of  62 
Miles ;  which  is  between  the  River  and  the  Red  Sea.  This 
Enterprise  was  followed  by  Darius,  King  of  the  Persians  : 
and  afterwards  by  Ptolomceus,  who  also  made  a  Channel 
100  Feet  in  Breadth,  and  30  Deep,  for  Thirty-Seven  Miles 
and  a  Half  in  Length,  even  to  the  Bitter  Fountains.  But 
this  Design  went  no  farther,  through  fear  of  an  Inundation : 
the  Red  Sea  being  found  to  lie  Three  Cubits  above  the  Land 
of  Egypt.  Some  allege  that  this  was  not  the  true  cause, 
but  that  if  the  Sea  were  let  into  the  Nile  the  Water  thereof 
(of  which  only  they  drink)  would  be  corrupted.  Never- 
theless the  Way  is  well  frequented  from  the  Egyptian  Sea  ; 
and  there  are  Three  ordinary  Ways  there :  one  from  Pelu- 
sium  over  the  Sands,  where,  unless  Reeds  be  set  up  in  the 
Ground  for  direction,  no  Path  would  be  found,  because  the 
Wind  bloweth  the  Sand  over  the  Tracts  of  the  Feet.  A 
second  beginneth  Two  Miles  beyond  the  Mountain  Casius, 
which  after  sixty  Miles  returneth  into  the  Pelusiac  Way. 
Here  the  Arabians  called  Autei  inhabit.  The  Third  begin- 
neth at  Gereum,  which  they  call  Adipson,  and  passeth 
through  these  same  Arabians,  being  Sixty  Miles  nearer,  but 
full  of  craggy  Hills,  and  altogether  destitute  of  Water.  All 
these  Ways  lead  to  Arsinoe,  which  was  built  upon  the  Gulf 
Charandra  by  Ptolemaus  Philadelphia,  and  bearing  his 
Sister's  Name :  and  he  was  the  first  that  searched  narrowly 
into  the  Region  Trogloditicum  ;  and  the  River  that  passeth 


154  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  VI. 

by  Arsinoe  he  called  Ptolemseus.  Within  a  little  of  this 
Place  there  is  a  small  Town  named  Aennum,  for  which 
some  write  Philotera.  Beyond  them  are  the  Azarei :  wild 
Arabians  from  Marriages  of  the  Trogloditse.  The  Islands 
Sapyrene  and  Scytala:  and  within  a  little,  Deserts,  unto 
Myros-hormos,  where  is  the  Fountain  called  Tadnos;  the 
Mountain  Eos ;  the  Island  Lambe,  many  Harbours ;  and 
Berenice,  a  Town  bearing  the  Name  of  the  Mother  of  Phila- 
delphus ;  to  which  there  is  a  Way  lying  from  Coptos,  as  we 
have  said :  the  Arabians  called  Autei,  and  Gnebadei.  Tro- 
gloditice,  which  the  Ancients  called  Michoe,  and  others 
Midoe  :  the  Mountain  Pentedactylos.  Certain  Islands  called 
Stenae-de'irae ;  and  others  no  fewer  in  number,  named  Halon- 
nesi :  Cardamine,  and  Topazos,  which  gave  the  Name  to  the 
precious  Stone.  A  Bay  full  of  Islands,  of  which  that  which 
is  called  Mareu  is  well  supplied  with  Water  :  another,  called 
Eratonos,  is  altogether  Dry.  There  were  Governors  there 
under  the  King.  Within-land  inhabit  the  Candei,  whom 
they  call  Ophiophagi,  because  they  are  accustomed  to  feed 
on  Serpents;  and  in  truth  there  is  no  other  Region  that 
breeds  them  more  than  this.  Juba,  who  seemeth  to  have 
very  diligently  searched  into  these  things,  hath  omitted  in 
this  Tract  (unless  there  be  some  fault  in  his  Original),  to 
speak  of  a  second  Berenice,  which  is  denominated  Pan- 
chrysos ;  as  also  of  a  third  called  Epidires,  renowned  for  its 
Situation ;  for  it  stands  upon  a  Neck  of  Land  running  a  long 
way,  where  the  Mouth  of  the  Red  Sea  is  not  above  Four 
Miles  and  a  Half  from  Arabia.  There  is  the  Island  Cytis, 
itself  producing  Topazes.  Beyond  this  are  Woods,  where 
Ptolemceus,  surnamed  Philadelphus,  built  a  City  for  Hunt- 
ing the  Elephant,  near  the  Lake  Monoleus,  and  named  it 
Epitheras.  This  is  the  Region  mentioned  by  me  in  the 
Second  Book;  wherein  for  Forty-five  Days  before  Mid- 
Summer,  and  as  many  after,  at  the  Sixth  Hour  of  the  Day, 
no  Shadows  are  to  be  seen :  which  being  past,  all  the  Day 
after  they  fall  into  the  South  ;  and  on  other  Days  they  fall 
to  the  North ;  whereas,  in  Berenice,  which  we  mentioned 
first,  on  the  very  Day  of  the  Solstice,  at  the  Sixth  Hour,  the 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  155 

Shadows  are  wholly  lost;  and  otherwise  there  is  nothing 
new  to  be  observed  for  the  space  of  600  Miles  about  Ptole- 
mais :  a  thing  worthy  of  observation,  and  a  place  of  great 
Curiosity,  that  gave  great  Light  to  the  World ;  for  Erato- 
sthenes, upon  this  undoubted  argument  of  the  Shadows,  took 
in  hand  to  deduce  the  Measure  of  the  Earth.  Beyond  this 
is  the  Sea  Azanium,  and  the  Promontory  which  some  have 
written  by  the  name  of  Hispalus  ;  also  the  Lake  Mandalum  ; 
the  Island  Colocasitis,  and  in  the  deep  Sea  many,  wherein 
are  numerous  Tortoises.  The  Town  Suchae ;  the  Island 
Daphnis,  and  the  Town  Aduliton,  built  by  Egyptian  Slaves 
who  escaped  from  their  Masters.  This  is  the  greatest  Town 
of  Traffic  of  the  Trogloditse,  as  well  as  of  the  Egyptians  :  and 
it  is  (from  Ptolemais)  Five  Days'  Sailing.  Thither  are  brought 
very  much  Ivory  and  Horns  of  the  Rhinoceros,  Skins  of  the 
Hippopotamus,  Tortoise  Shells,  Monkeys,  and  Slaves.  Above 
are  the  Ethiopians,  called  Aroteres :  also  the  Islands  named 
Alieeu :  and  Islands  named  Bacchias,  Antibacchias,  and 
Strathonis;  beyond  them  there  is  a  Gulf  in  the  Coast  of 
Ethiopia,  as  yet  not  known,  a  thing  to  be  wondered  at,  con- 
sidering that  Merchants  search  into  remoter  Parts.  Also  a 
Promontory,  wherein  is  a  Fountain  named  Cucios,  much 
desired  by  Sailors.  Beyond  it  is  the  Port  of  Isis,  distant 
from  the  Town  of  the  Adulitae  ten  Days  rowing  with  Oars  : 
and  thither  is  Myrrh  collected  by  the  Trogloditae.  Before 
this  Harbour  are  two  Islands,  named  Pseudopylse ;  and  as 
many  further  within,  called  Pylse ;  in  one  of  them  are  some 
Pillars  of  Stone,  engraved  with  unknown  Characters.  Be- 
yond this  is  the  Bay  Abalites :  the  Island  Diodori,  and  others 
lying  Desert.  Also  along  the  Continent  there  is  much  Wil- 
derness ;  the  Town  Gaza  ;  the  Promontory  and  Port  Mossy- 
lites,  unto  which  Cinnamon  is  brought.  Thus  far  marched 
Sesostris  with  his  Army.  Some  Writers  place  one  Town  of 
Ethiopia  beyond  this,  on  the  Sea-side,  called  Baradaza. 
Juba  would  have  the  Atlantic  Sea  to  begin  at  the  Promon- 
tory Mossylites :  on  which  Sea  a  Man  may  Sail  with  a  north- 
west Wind,  by  the  Coasts  of  his  Kingdoms  of  Mauritania  to 
Gades :  and  the  whole  of  his  Opinion  cannot  be  contradicted 


156  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  VI. 

on  this  point.  From  a  Promontory  of  the  Indians  called 
Lepteacra,  and  by  others  Drepanum,  to  the  Isle  of  Malchu, 
he  layeth  it  down  that  by  a  straight  Course  it  is  1500 
Miles,  beside  those  Parts  that  are  burnt  up.  From  thence 
to  a  place  called  Sceneos  is  225  Miles :  and  from  it  to  the 
Island  Sadanum,  150  Miles :  and  thus  it  is  made  to  the  open 
Sea  1885  Miles.  But  all  other  Writers  have  been  of  opinion 
that  there  could  not  be  any  Sailing  on  it,  for  the  exceeding 
Heat  of  the  Sun.  Moreover,  the  Arabians  named  Ascitse  do 
much  harm  from  the  Islands  to  the  Trade  :  for  these  Ara- 
bians join  Bottles  made  of  Ox  Leather,  two  and  two  toge- 
ther, as  if  they  were  a  Bridge,  and  exercise  Piracy  by 
shooting  their  Poisoned  Arrows.  The  same  Juba  writeth, 
that  there  are  Nations  of  the  Trogloditae,  named  Thero- 
thoes,  from  their  huntings,  of  wonderful  Swiftness :  as 
the  Ichthyophagi  from  Swimming,  as  if  they  were  Water 
Creatures.  He  narneth  also  the  Bargeni,  Zagerae,  Chalybae, 
Saxinae,  Syrecae,  Daremae,  and  Domazanes.  Also  he  affirmeth, 
that  the  People  inhabiting  along  the  Sides  of  the  Nile,  from 
Syene  to  Meroe,  are  not  ./Ethiopians,  but  Arabians,  who  for 
the  sake  of  Fresh  Water  approached  the  Nile,  and  there 
dwelt:  as  also  that  the  City  of  the  Sun,1  which  we  said  be- 
fore in  the  Description  of  Egypt,  standeth  not  far  from  Mem- 
phis, was  founded  by  the  Arabians.  There  are  some  also 
•who  assign  the  further  side  of  the  Nile  to  Africa  and  not  to 
Ethiopia.  But  leaving  every  Man  to  his  own  Pleasure,  we 
will  set  down  the  Towns  on  both  sides  in  that  order  in  which 
they  are  declared.  And  to  begin  with  that  side  toward 
Arabia,  after  you  are  past  Syene,  is  the  Nation  of  the  Cata- 
dupi ;  and  then  the  Syenitae.  The  Towns  Tacompson,  which 
some  have  called  Thatice,  Aranium,  Sesanium,  Sandura, 
Nasaudum,  Anadoma,  Cumara,  Beda  and  Bochiana,  Leuphi- 

1  "  City  of  the  Sun,"  or  Heliopolis.  This  is  the  Egyptian  city,  of 
which  the  father  of  the  patriarch  Joseph's  wife  was  priest.  It  may  have 
proceeded  from  the  Arabian  descent  of  the  people  of  this  place,  that  the 
worship  of  the  sun  was  more  agreeable  to  the  disposition  of  the  minds  of 
the  inhabitants,  than  that  of  any  of  the  animal  deities,  which  obtained  so 
much  favour  in  other  cities  of  Egypt. — Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  157 

thorga,  Tantarene,  Maechindira,  Noa,  Gophoa,  Gystatae,  Me- 
geda,  Lea,  Rherania,  Nupsia,  Direa,  Pataga,  Bagada,  Du- 
mana,  Rhadata,  in  which  a  Golden  Cat  is  worshipped  as  a 
God.  Boron  in  the  Midland  part,  and  Mallos,  the  next 
Town  to  Meroe.  Thus  hath  Bion  set  them  down.  But 
King  Juba  hath  arranged  them  otherwise.  Megatichos,  a 
Town  on  a  Mountain  between  Egypt  and  Ethiopia,  which 
the  Arabians  call  Myrson;  next  to  it  Tacompson,  Aranium, 
Sesanium,  Pide,  Mamuda,  and  Corambis  ;  near  it  a  Fountain 
of  Bitumen  :  Hammodara,  Prosda,  Parenta,  Mama,  Thes- 
sara,  Gallae,  Zoton,  Graucome,  Emeum,  Pidibotae,  Hebdo- 
mecontacomertae,  and  the  Nomades,  who  live  in  Tents. 
Cyste,  Pemma,  Gadagale,  Palois,  Primmis,  Nupsis,  Daselis, 
Patis,  Gambrenes,  Magases,  Segasmala,  Cranda,  Denna, 
Cadeuma,  Thena,  Batha,  Alana,  Macum,  Scammos,  and 
Gora  within  a  Island.  Beyond  these  Abala,  Androcalis, 
Seres,  Mallos,  and  Agoce.  On  the  Side  of  Africa  they  are 
reckoned  in  this  way :  another  Tacompsos,  with  the  same 
Name  or  perhaps  a  part  of  the  former:  then,  Magora,  Sea, 
Edosa,  Pelenaria,  Pyndis,  Magusa,  Bauma,  Linitima,  Spyn- 
tuma,  Sydopta,  Gensoa,  Pindicitora,  Eugoa,  Orsima,  Suasa, 
Mauma,  Rhuma,  Urbubuma,  Mulona,  which  Town  the 
Greeks  call  Hypaton  ;  Pagoargas,  Zamnes  ;  and  there  begin 
the  Elephants  to  come  in;  Mamblia,  Berresa,  Cetuma. 
There  was  formerly  a  Town  named  Epis,  overagainst  Meroe, 
but  destroyed  before  Bion  wrote.  These  were  recorded  until 
you  come  to  Meroe  ;  of  which  at  this  Day  scarcely  anything 
is  to  be  found  on  either  side.  The  remainder  is  a  Wilder- 
ness, by  report  made  to  the  Prince  Nero  by  the  Praetorian 
Soldiers  sent  thither  from  him  under  the  Command  of  a 
Tribune,  to  make  Discoveries :  at  the  time  when  amongst 
his  other  Wars,  he  thought  of  an  Expedition  against  the 
Ethiopians.  But  in  the  Days  of  Divus  Augustus,  the  Roman 
Arms  penetrated  thither  under  the  conduct  ofPublius  Petro~ 
nius,  a  Knight  of  Rome,  and  Prefect  of  Egypt.  He  con- 
quered all  those  Towns  in  Ethiopia,  which  he  found  in  this 
order  following;  Pselcis,  Primis,  Aboccis,  Phthuris,  Can- 
busis,  Attena,  Stadissis,  where  the  River  Nile  casteth  itself 


158  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  VI. 

down  with  such  a  Noise  that  the  Inhabitants  living  close  by 
lose  their  Hearing.  He  won  also  Napata.  He  marched 
forward  a  great  way  into  the  Country,  even  870  Miles  be- 
yond Syene  ;  but  this  Roman  Army  laid  not  all  Waste  in 
those  parts.  It  was  the  Egyptian  Wars  that  wasted  Ethiopia ; 
sometimes  by  Ruling,  and  at  others  by  Servitude ;  it  was  Illus- 
trious and  Powerful  until  the  Reign  of  King  Memnon,  who 
ruled  in  the  Time  of  the  Trojan  War,  so  that  Syria  was  sub- 
ject to  it;  as  also  our  own  Coast  in  the  Time  of  King  Cepkeus, 
as  appeareth  by  the  Fables  of  Andromeda.  In  the  same 
manner  they  disagree  about  the  Measure  of  Ethiopia.  And 
first,  Dalion  passing  far  beyond  Meroe ;  after  him,  Aristo- 
creon,  Bion,  and  Basilis ;  also  Simonides  (the  Lesser)  who 
dwelt  in  Meroe  Five  Years,  when  he  wrote  of  Ethiopia. 
Timosthenes,  the  Admiral  of  the  Fleet  of  Philadelphus,  hath 
left  in  record,  that  from  Syene  to  Meroe  is  Sixty  Days' 
Journey,  without  particularizing  the  Measure.  But  Erato- 
sthenes precisely  noteth,  that  it  is  625  Miles :  Artemidorus, 
600.  Sebostus  affirmeth,  that  from  the  Frontiers  of  Egypt  it 
is  1675  Miles ;  from  whence  the  last  rehearsed  Writers  count 
1270.  But  all  this  difference  is  lately  determined  by  the 
Report  of  those  Travellers  whom  Nero  sent  to  Discover  those 
Countries,  who  have  related  that  it  is  862  Miles  from  Syene 
in  this  manner :  from  Syen£  to  Hiera-Sycaminon,  Fifty-four 
Miles ;  from  thence  to  Tama,  Seventy-five  Miles ;  from  Tama 
to  the  Euonymites  Country,  the  first  of  the  Ethiopians,  120 ; 
to  Acina,  Fifty-four;  to  Pitara,  Twenty-five;  to  Tergedum, 
106  Miles.  That  in  the  midst  of  this  Tract  lieth  the  Island 
Gagandus,  where  they  first  saw  the  Birds  called  Parrots ; 
and  beyond  another  Island  called  Attigula  they  saw  Monkeys ; 
beyond  Tergedum  they  met  with  the  Creatures  Cynocephali. 
From  thence  to  Napata  Eighty  Miles,  which  is  the  only 
little  Town  among  all  the  beforenamed  ;  from  which  to  the 
Island  Meroe  is  360  Miles.  They  reported,  moreover,  that 
about  Meroe,  and  not  before,  the  Herbs  appeared  greener ; 
and  the  Woods  shewed  somewhat  in  comparison  of  all  the 
way  besides ;  and  they  espied  the  Tracts  of  Elephants  and 
Rhinoceroses.  The  Town  itself  of  Meroe  was  from  the 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  159 

Entry  of  the  Island  Seventy  Miles,  and  just  by,  there  was 
another  Island  called  Tatu,  which  formed  a  Port  for  them 
that  approached  by  the  Channel  on  the  Right.  The  Buildings 
within  the  Town  were  few ;  the  Isle  was  subject  to  a  Queen 
named  Candaoce,1  a  name  that  for  many  years  already  hath 
passed  in  succession  from  one  Queen  to  another,  Within 
this  Town  is  the  Shrine  of  Hammon  for  Devotion  ;  and  in  all 
that  Tract  many  Chapels.  Finally,  so  long  as  the  Ethiopians 
were  powerful  this  Island  was  very  famous.  For  by  report, 
they  were  accustomed  to  furnish  of  Armed  Men  250,000,  and 
to  maintain  of  Artisans  400,000.  Also  it  is  at  this  day  reported 
that  there  have  been  Forty-five  Kings  of  the  Ethiopians. 

CHAPTER  XXX. 
The  Manifold  and  Wonderful  Forms  of  Men* 

BUT  the  Nation  in  general  was  in  old  time  called 
^Etheria ;  3  afterwards  Atlantia ;  and  finally  from  Vulcan's 
Son  ^Ethiops,  it  took  the  name  of  Ethiopia.  It  is  no  won- 
der, that  about  the  remote  Borders  of  it  there  are  produced 
both  Men  and  Beasts  of  monstrous  Shapes,  considering  the 
Agility  of  the  Fiery  Heat  to  frame  Bodies  and  carve  them 
into  strange  Shapes.  It  is  reported  by  some,  that  far  within 
the  Country  eastward  there  are  Nations  without  Noses,  but 
having  their  Visage  all  Plain  and  Flat:  that  others  are 
without  any  Upper  Lip,  and  some  without  Tongues ;  also, 
there  is  a  kind  of  them  that  have  the  Mouth  grown  to- 
gether, and  are  without  Nostrils ;  so  that  at  the  same  Orifice 
only  they  take  in  Breath,  receive  Drink  by  drawing  it  in 
through  an  Oaten  Straw,  and  Feed  themselves  with  the 
Grains  of  Oats  which  grow  of  their  own  accord  for  their 
Food.  Others  there  are,  who  instead  of  Speech  make  Signs 
by  nodding  their  Heads,  and  moving  their  Limbs.  There 
are  also  some  that  before  the  Time  of  Ptolemceus  Lathyrus 

1  See  Acts  of  Apostles,  viii.  27. 
1  See  further,  Book  vii.  c.  2. 

3  As  all  Pliny's  authors  were  Greek  or  Roman,  he  was  ignorant  that 
a  much  more  ancient  name  was  Gush. — Wern.  Club* 


160  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VI. 

King  of  Egypt,  knew  no  use  of  Fire.  Some  Writers  have 
reported,  that  in  the  Country  near  the  Marshes  from  whence 
the  Nile  hath  its  Source  there  inhabit  a  Nation  of  Pygmei. 
But  where  we  left  off  there  is  a  continual  range  of  Moun- 
tains, all  Red,  as  if  they  were  Burning.  Beyond  Meroe 
there  is  a  Country  lying  above  the  Trogloditae  and  the  Red 
Sea ;  where  Three  Days'  Journey  from  Napata  toward  the 
Red  Sea,  in  most  places  they  save  Rain  Water  for  their  ordi- 
nary Use  ;  all  the  Country  between  is  very  abundant  in 
Gold.  All  beyond  this  Region  is  Inhabited  by  the  Atabuli, 
a  People  of  Ethiopia.  The  Megabari,  whom  some  have 
named  Adiabarse,  lie  overagainst  Meroe,  and  have  a  Town 
bearing  the  Name  of  Apollo.  Part  of  them  are  Nomades, 
who  live  on  Elephant's  Flesh.  Just  against  them  in  a  part 
of  Africa  are  the  Macrobii.  Again,  beyond  the  Megabari 
are  the  Memnones  and  Daveli ;  and  Twenty  Days'  Journey 
from  them  the  Critensi.  Beyond  them  are  the  Dochi  and 
the  Gymnites,  who  are  always  naked.  Soon  after  you  find  the 
Anderae,  Mathitse,  Mesagebes,  Hipporeae,  of  a  Black  Colour, 
but  who  paint  their  Bodies  with  a  kind  of  Red  Chalk  called 
Rubrica.  But  upon  a  part  of  Africa  are  the  Medimni ;  be- 
yond then  are  Nomades,  who  feed  on  the  Milk  of  Cynoce- 
phali :  and  the  Olabi  and  Syrbotse,  who  are  reported  to  be 
Eight  Cubits  high.  Aristocreon  saith,  that  on  the  side  of 
Libya,  Five  Days'  Journey  from  Meroe,  there  is  a  Town 
called  Tole  ;  and  Twelve  Days'  Journey  from  thence  is  Esar, 
a  Town  of  the  Egyptians,  who  fled  from  Psammeticus.  It  is 
reported,  that  they  have  lived  in  it  for  300  Years;  another 
Town  of  theirs  called  Daronis,  on  the  opposite  side,  on  the 
Coast  of  Arabia.  But  that  which  Aristocreon  nameth  Esar, 
Bion  calleth  Sapa;  and  he  saith,  the  very  word  signifieth 
Strangers  come  from  other  parts.  Their  Capital  City  is 
within  the  Island  Sembobitis  ;  and  Sai  in  Arabia  is  the  Third. 
Between  the  Mountains  and  the  Nile  are  the  Symbari  and 
the  Phalanges ;  but  upon  the  Mountains  themselves  live 
the  Asachae,  with  many  Nations ;  and  they  are  by  report 
Seven  Days'  Journey  from  the  Sea.  They  live  by  Hunting 
Elephants.  The  Island  in  the  Nile,  of  the  Semberritse,  is 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  161 

subject  to  a  Queen.  Eight  Days'  Journey  from  thence  lieth 
the  Country  of  the  Ethiopians,  named  Nubaei.  Their  Town 
Tenupsis  is  seated  upon  the  Nile.  The  Sambri,  where  all 
the  Four-footed  Beasts,  and  even  the  very  Elephants,  are 
without  Ears.  Upon  the  Border  of  Africa  inhabit  the 
Ptceambati  and  Ptoemphanae,  who  have  a  Dog  for  their 
King,  and  they  judge  of  his  imperial  Commands  by  his  Motion. 
Their  City  is  Auruspi,  far  distant  from  the  Nile.  Beyond 
them  are  the  Achisarmi,  Phaliges,  Marigeri,  and  Casamarri. 
Bion  says,  that  beyond  Psembobitis,  there  are  other  Towns  in 
the  Islands  toward  Meroc,  for  Twenty  Days'  Journey.  The 
Town  of  the  next  Island  is  Semberritartim,  under  a  Queen; 
another  called  Asar  ;  and  there  is  a  second  Island  having  in 
it  the  Town  Daron ;  they  call  the  third  Medo'e,  wherein 
standeth  the  Town  Asel ;  and  a  fourth  named  Garode,  as 
the  Town  is  also.  Then  along  the  Bank?,  the  Towns,  Navos, 
Modunda,  Andatis,  Setundum,  Colligat,  Secande,  Navectabe, 
Cumi,  Agrospi,  jEgipa,  Candrogari,  Araba,  and  Summara. 
The  Region  above  Sirbitum,  where  the  Mountains  end,  is 
reported  by  some  to  have  upon  the  Sea-coast  Ethiopians 
called  Nisicastes  and  Nisitas,  which  means  Men  with  Three 
and  Four  Eyes ;  not  because  they  are  so  furnished,  but  be- 
cause they  are  excellent  Archers.  Bion  affirmeth,  moreover, 
that  from  that  part  of  the  Nile  which  stretcheth  above  the 
Greater  Syrtes,  toward  the  Southern  Ocean,  they  are  called 
Dalion,  who  use  Rain-water  only;  and  the  Cisori  and  Lon- 
gopori.  Beyond  Oecalices  for  Five  Days'  Journey,  the 
Usibalci,  Isueles,  Pharusi,  Valii,  and  Cispii.  The  rest  is 
desert.  But  then  he  telleth  fabulous  Tales  :  as  that  westward 
there  are  People  called  Nigrce,  whose  King  hath  but  one 
Eye,  and  that  in  the  midst  of  his  Forehead  :  also,  there  are 
the  Agriophagi,  who  live  chiefly  on  the  Flesh  of  Panthers 
and  Lions  ;  the  Pornphagi,  who  Eat  all  things  ;  the  Anthro- 
pophagi, that  Feed  on  Man's  Flesh ;  the  Cynamolgi,  who 
have  Heads  like  Dogs ;  the  Artabatitae,  who  wander  about 
like  Four-footed  Savage  Beasts.  Beyond  whom  are  the 
Hesperii  and  Peroesi,  who,  as  we  said  before,  are  planted  in 

VOL.  II.  M 


162  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  VI. 

the  Confines  of  Mauritania.  In  certain  parts  of  Ethiopia 
the  People  live  on  Locusts  only,1  which  they  preserve  with 
Salt,  and  hang  up  in  Smoke  to  harden,  for  their  yearly  Pro- 
vision ;  and  these  live  not  above  Forty  Years  at  the  most. 
Agrippa  saith  that  all  the  Land  of  Ethiopia,  with  the  Red 
Sea,  containeth  in  Length  2170  Miles:  and  in  Breadth, 
together  with  the  higher  Egypt,  1291.  Some  have  taken 
the  Breadth  in  this  manner;  from  Meroe  to  Sirbitum, 
Twelve  Days' Navigation  ;  from  thence  to  the  Davelli, Twelve  ; 
and  from  them  to  the  Ethiopian  Ocean,  a  Journey  of  Six 
Days.  But  on  the  whole  all  Writers  in  a  manner  agree 
that  between  the  Ocean  and  Meroe  it  is  725  Miles  ;  and 
from  thence  to  Syenc,  as  much  as  we  have  set  down  before. 
The  Situation  of  Ethiopia  lieth  South-east  and  South-west. 
In  the  exact  South,  Woods  of  Ebony  chiefly  flourish  ;  toward 
the  midst  of  this  Region,  there  is  a  lofty  Mountain  looking 
over  the  Sea,  that  burneth  continually,  which  the  Greeks 
call  Theon-ochema ;  from  which  it  is  counted  Four  Days'  Sail 
to  the  Promontory  called  Hesperion-Ceras,2  on  the  border  of 
Africa,  near  to  the  Hesperian  Ethiopians.  Some  Writers 
hold,  that  this  Tract  is  beautified  with  little  Hills,  pleasantly 
clad  with  shady  Groves,  wherein  are  the  jEgipanes  and 
Satyri. 

1  That  locusts  should  form  a  portion  of  the  food  of  the  people  who 
live  where   they  abound,  cannot    be    regarded    as   surprising.     John 
the  Baptist  fed  on  them,  Matt.  iii.  4,  and  Mark,  i.  G.     They  are  still 
occasionally  used  for  food  in  the  East.    When  Khosru  Punvis  (Chosroes), 
the  Sassanian  king  of  Persia,  was  summoned  by  Mohammed  to  adopt  his 
doctrine,  he  contemptuously  dismissed  the  messengers  of  a  chief  of  "naked 
locust-eaters."      The  Arabs  eat  the  different  species  of  the  migratory 
locusts,  and  are  very  fond  of  them,  especially  of  the  red  locust,  which 
when  fat  is  called  Jerad  mikhcn.      They  eat  them  either  fried  or  broiled, 
or  dried  in  an  oven,  or  boiled  with  a  sprinkle  of  salt ;  the  locusts  taste 
like  dried  sprats.     The  female  locust  when  fat  and  full  of  eggs,  is  a  great 
dainty,  and  greatly  esteemed  by  the  male  population  on  account  of  its 
aphrodisiac  qualities.     (Niebuhr,  Beschreibung  von  Aralien,  p.  170,  &c.) 
—  Wern.  Club. 

2  Cap  de  Bonne  Esperance. 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  163 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 
The  Islands  of  the  Ethiopian  Sea. 

EPHORUS,  Eudoxus,  and  Timosthenes  agree,  that  there 
are  very  many  Islands  in  all  that  Sea.  Clitarchus  wit- 
nesseth,  that  report  was  made  to  Alexander  the  King,  of  one 
which  was  so  rich,  that  for  Horses  the  Inhabitants  would 
give  Talents  of  Gold  ;  also  of  another,  wherein  was  a  sacred 
Mountain  adorned  with  a  shady  Wood,  where  the  Trees 
distilled  Odours  of  wonderful  Sweetness.  Overagainst  the 
Persian  Gulf  lieth  the  Island  named  Cerne,  opposite  to 
Ethiopia;  but  how  large  it  is,  or  how  far  off  from  the  Con- 
tinent, is  not  certainly  known :  but  this  is  reported,  that 
the  Ethiopians  only  inhabit  it.  Euphorus  writeth,  that  they 
who  would  Sail  thither  from  the  Red  Sea,  are  not  able,  from 
the  extreme  Heat,  to  pass  beyond  certain  Columns ;  for  so 
they  call  the  little  Islands  there.  But  Polybius  affirmeth, 
that  this  Island  Cerne,  where  it  lieth  in  the  utmost  Coast  of 
Mauritania,  overagainst  the  Mountain  Atlas,  is  but  Eight 
Stadia  from  the  Land.  On  the  other  hand,  Nepos  Cornelius 
affirmeth,  that  it  is  not  above  a  Mile  from  the  Land, 
overagainst  Carthage ;  and  that  it  is  not  above  Two  Miles 
in  Circuit.  There  is  mention  made  also  of  another  Island 
before  the  Mountain  Atlas,  and  which  is  named  Atlantis. 
And  Five  Days'  Sailing  from  it  are  the  Deserts  of  the 
Ethiopian  Hesperians,  and  a  Promontory,  which  we  have 
named  Hesperion-Ceras ;  where  the  Coasts  of  the  Land  begin 
first  to  turn  about  their  front  to  the  westward,  and  the 
Atlantic  Sea.  Overagainst  this  Promontory,  as  Xenophon 
Lampsacenus  reporteth,  lie  the  Islands  called  Gorgates, 
where  formerly  the  Gorgani  kept  their  Habitation,  two 
Days'  Sailing  from  the  Continent.  Hanno,  Commander  of 
the  Carthaginians  (Poeni),  penetrated  to  them,  and  reported 
that  the  Women  were  all  over  their  Bodies  hairy ;  and  that 
the  Men  were  so  Swift  of  Foot  that  they  escaped  from  him  ; 
but  he  placed  the  Skins  of  two  of  these  Gorgon  Women  in 
the  Temple  of  Juno,  for  aTestimonial,  and  as  a  Wonder,  and 


164  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VI. 

they  were  seen  there  until  Carthage  was  taken.  Beyond 
these  Isles  also  there  are  said  to  he  two  Islands  of  Hesperides. 
But  so  uncertain  are  all  things  concerning  these  parts,  that 
Statins  Sebosus  affirmeth,  it  is  Forty  Days'  Sailing  from  the 
Islands  of  the  Gorgones  along  the  Coast  of  Atlas,  to  the 
Isles  of  the  Hesperides ;  and  from  thence  to  Hesperion- 
Ceras,  one.  As  little  certainty  there  is  concerning  the 
Islands  of  Mauritania.  In  this  only  they  all  agree,  that  Juba 
discovered  some  few  of  them  over  against  the  Autololes,  in 
which  he  purposed  to  dye  Gsetulian  Purple.1 

CHAPTER  XXXII. 
Of  the  Fortunate  Islands. 

SOME  Authors  think,  that  the  Fortunate  Islands,  and 
some  others  besides  them,  are  beyond  the  Autololes ;  among 
whom  the  same  Sebosus  spoke  of  their  Distances :  and  parti- 
cularly that  the  Island  Junonia  is  from  Gades  750  Miles ; 
and  that  from  it  westward  the  Isles  Pluvialia  and  Capraria 
are  as  much :  also  that  in  the  Island  Pluvialia  there  is  no 
Water  but  what  they  have  by  Showers.  From  them  to  the 
Fortunate  Islands  is  250  Miles  ;  they  lie  eight  Miles  from  the 
Coast  of  Mauritania  to  the  Left  Hand,  called  the  Coast  of 
the  Sun,  in  a  Valley,  because  it  is  like  a  Valley  or  Hollow  ; 
and  it  is  also  called  Planaria,  as  resembling  an  even  Plain. 
This  Valley  containeth  in  Circuit  300  Miles:  wherein  are 
Trees  so  luxuriant  that  they  grow  to  the  Height  of  144 
Feet.  Concerning  the  Islands  named  Fortunate,  Juba 
learned  by  diligent  inquiry,  that  they  lie  from  the  South 
near  to  the  West  625  Miles  from  the  Islands  Purpurarise : 
so  that  to  Sail  thither  a  Man  must  pass  250  Miles  above  the 
West,  and  then  for  75  Miles  bend  his  course  Eastward.  He 
saith,  moreover,  that  the  first  of  these  Islands  is  called  Om- 
brion,  wherein  are  no  Tokens  of  Houses.  Also  that  among 
the  Mountains  it  hath  a  Marsh  ;  and  Trees  resembling  the 
Plant  Ferula,  out  of  which  they  press  Water :  that  which 

1  On  which  account  in  the  next  chapter  these  islands  are  called 
Purpurese. — Wern.  Club> 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  165 

issueth  out  of  the  Black  Trees  being  bitter,  and  that  from 
the  Whiter  sort  sweet  and  potable.  He  saith  that  a  second 
Island  is  named  Jimonia,  in  which  there  is  one  little  House, 
or  Chapel,  made  of  Stone :  beyond  it,  but  near  by  there  is  a 
third  of  the  same  Name,  but  less  in  size :  and  then  you  come 
to  one  called  Capraria,  full  of  great  Lizards.  Within  sight 
of  these  is  the  Island  Nivaria,  which  took  this  Name  from 
the  Snow  that  lieth  there  continually  ;  it  is  also  full  of  Mists. 
The  next  to  it  is  Canaria,  so  called  from  the  great  number  of 
very  large  Dogs,  of  which  Juba  brought  away  two  :  and  in 
this  Island  there  are  some  marks  remaining  of  Buildings. 
And  as  all  these  Islands  abound  plentifully  with  fruitful 
Trees  and  Birds  of  all  sorts,  so  this  is  replenished  with 
Palm-trees  that  bear  Abundance  of  Dates,  and  likewise  with 
Trees  that  yield  Pine  Nuts.  There  is  also  great  plenty  of 
Honey  :  and  the  Rivers  produce  the  Papyrus  Reed,  and  are 
well  stored  with  the  Fish  Silurus  :  and  in  conclusion  he 
saith,  that  these  Islands  are  much  infested  with  great  Ani- 
mals, that  are  very  often  cast  out  in  a  Putrid  Condition. 
Thus  having  at  large  gone  through  the  Description  of  the 
Globe  of  the  Earth,  as  well  without  as  within,  it  remaineth 
now  to  collect  into  a  small  space  the  measure  of  the  Seas. 

CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

A  Summary  of  the  Earth,  digested  according  to  its 
Dimensions. 

POLYBIUS  layeth  it  down,  that  from  the  Straits  of  Gib- 
raltar by  a  straight  Course  to  the  Mouth  of  Moeotis  is  3437| 
Miles.  From  the  same  starting-place  by  a  right  Course  east- 
ward to  Sicily,  it  is  1260J  Miles ;  to  Crete,  375  Miles ;  to 
Rhodes,  146|  Miles ;  to  the  Chelidonian  Islands  as  much ; 
to  Cyprus,  325  Miles ;  from  whence  to  Seleucia  Pieria  in 
Syria,  115  Miles.  Which  computation  makes  the  sum  of 
2340  Miles.  Agrippa  also  counteth  3440  Miles  for  all  this 
distance  from  the  Straits  of  Gibraltar  directly  forward  to  the 
Gulf  of  Issa.  In  which  reckoning  I  scarcely  know  whether 
there  be  an  error  in  the  number,  because  the  same  Writer 


166  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  VI. 

hath  set  down  the  passage  from  the  Sicilian  Strait  to  Alex- 
andria at  1250  Miles.  But  the  whole  Circuit  through  the 
above-said  Gulfs,  from  the  point  where  we  began  to  the  Lake 
Moaotis,  summed  together,  is  15,600  Miles.  Artemidorus 
added  thereto  756  Miles.  And  the  same  Geographer 
writeth,  that  with  Mceotis  it  cometh  to  17,390  Miles.  This 
is  the  measure  of  unarmed  Men,  and  the  peaceful  boldness 
of  such  as  have  not  feared  to  provoke  Fortune.  Now 
are  we  to  compare  the  greatness  of  each  part,  in  spite  of 
the  Difficulty  produced  by  the  Disagreement  of  Authors. 
But  most  easily  will  this  appear  if  we  join  Longitude  and 
Latitude  together.  According  to  this  prescribed  rule  the 
Magnitude  of  Europe  is  8148  Miles.  Africa  (taking  the 
middle  Computation  between  them  all  that  have  set  it  down) 
containeth  in  Length  3748  Miles.  The  Breadth  of  so  much 
as  is  inhabited  in  no  Place  exceedeth  250  Miles.  Agrippa 
would  have  it  to  contain  910  Miles  in  Breadth,  beginning  at 
the  Bounds  of  Cyrene,  and  comprehending  in  this  Measure 
the  Deserts  thereof  as  far  as  to  the  Garamantae,  so  far  as 
they  are  known  ;  and  then  the  whole  Measure  collected  into 
one  sum  amounted  to  4608  Miles.  Asia1  is  allowed  to  be  in 
Length  63,750  Miles;  and  its  Breadth  is  truly  reckoned 
from  the  Ethiopian  Sea  to  Alexandria,  situated  near  the 
Nile,  so  that  the  Measurement  runs  through  Meroe  and 
Syrene,  1875  Miles;  whereby  it  appeareth  that  Europe  is 
little  wanting  of  being  half  as  large  again  as  Asia  :  and  the 
same  Europe  is  twice  as  much  again  as  all  Africa,  and  a 
sixth  part  over.  Reduce  now  all  these  sums  together,  and  it 
will  be  found  clear  that  Europe  is  a  third  part  of  the  whole 
Earth,  and  something  more  than  an  eighth  Portion  over; 
Asia  a  fourth  part,  with  a  fourteenth;  and  Africa  a  fifth, 
with  an  over-plus  of  a  sixtieth  portion.  To  this  Calculation 
we  will  add  one  sentence  of  Greek  invention,  which  shevveth 

1  Pliny's  ignorance  of  the  extent  of  Africa  is  pardonable,  for  he  knew 
no  more  of  it  than  the  small  portion  which  had  come  under  the  Roman 
dominion ;  but  in  his  account  of  Asia  he  contradicts  what  he  has  already 
assigned  to  India,  which  is  only  a  part  of  it,  but  which  he  truly  repre- 
sented to  be  larger  than  Europe. —  Wern.  Club, 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  167 

their  exquisite  subtilty,  in  order  that  we  may  omit  nothing 
in  this  view  of  the  Situation  of  the  Earth ;  that  when  the 
Position  of  every  Region  is  known,  a  Man  may  likewise  come 
to  the  knowledge  of  what  Society  there  is  between  one  and 
the  other,  either  of  the  agreement  of  the  Length  of  Days  and 
Nights,  by  the  Shadows  at  Noonday,  or  by  the  equal  Con- 
vexity of  the  World.  To  bring  this  about  effectually,  I  must 
arrange  the  whole  Earth  into  certain  Portions  of  the  Heaven  ; 
for  there  are  very  many  of  those  Divisions  of  the  World  which 
our  Astronomers  call  Circles,  and  the  Greeks,  Parallels. 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 

The  Arrangement  of  the  Earth  into  Parallels  and  equal 
Shadows. 

THE  beginning  is  at  that  part  of  India  which  turns  to  the 
South.  It  extends  as  far  as  Arabia  and  the  Inhabitants  of 
the  Red  Sea.  Under  it  are  comprised  the  Gedrosi,  Persse, 
Carmani,  and  Elimeei;  Parthyene,  Aria,  Susiane,  Mesopo- 
tamia, Seleucia,  surnamed  Babylonia ;  Arabia,  so  far  as 
Petrae,  Ccele-Syria,  and  Pelusium  in  Egypt ;  the  Lower 
Coasts,  which  are  called  of  Alexandria ;  the  Maritime  Parts 
of  Africa;  all  the  Towns  of  Cyrenaica,  Thapsus,  Adrume- 
tum,  Clupea,  Carthago,  Utica,  both  Hippoes,  Numidia,  both 
Realms  of  Mauritania,  the  Atlantic  Sea,  and  Hercules'  Pil- 
lars. In  all  the  Circumference  of  this  Heaven,  at  Noon-tide 
of  an  Equinoctial  Day,  the  Umbilicus,  which  they  call  Gno- 
mon, seven  Feet  Long,  casteth  a  Shadow  not  above  the 
Length  of  four  Feet.  The  Longest  Night  or  Day  is  fourteen 
Hours;  and  the  shortest,  ten.  The  following  Circle  begin- 
neth  from  India,  tending  westward,  and  passeth  through 
the  midst  of  Parthia,  Persepolis,  the  nearest  parts  of  Persis, 
the  nearer  Arabia,  Judaea,  and  the  Borders  of  the  Mountain 
Libanus.  It  embraceth  Babylon,  Idumaea,  Samaria,  Hieru- 
solyma,  Ascalon,  Joppe,  Csesarea,  Phcenice,  Ptolemais, 
Sydon,  Tyrus,  Berytrus,  Botrys,  Tripolis,  Byblus,  Antiochia, 
Laodicea,  Seleucia,  the  Sea-coasts  of  Cilicia,  Cyprus,  the 
South  Part  of  Creta,  Lilybeum  in  Sinalia,  the  North  Parts 


168  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  VI. 

of  Africa  and  Numidia.  The  Gnomon  upon  the  Equi- 
noctial Day,  thirty-five  Feet  in  Length,  maketh  a  Shadow 
twenty-four  Feet  Long.  The  Longest  Day  or  Night  is  four- 
teen Hours  Equinoctial,  and  the  fifth  part  of  an  Hour.  The 
third  Circle  beginneth  at  the  Indians  next  to  the  Iinaus,  and 
goeth  by  the  Caspian  Gates  very  near  to  Media,  Cataonia, 
Cappadocia,  Taurus,  Amanus,  Issus,  the  Cilician  Gates, 
Soli,  Tarsus,  Cyprus,  Pisidia,  Syde  in  Pamphilia,  Lycaonia, 
Patara  in  Lycia,  Xanthus,  Caunus,  Rhodus,  Cou's,  Halicar- 
nassus,  Gnidus,  Doris,  Chius,  Delus,  the  Middle  Cyclades, 
Gytthium,  Malea,  Argos,  Laconia,  Elis,  Olympia,  Messene, 
Peloponnesus,  Syracusa,  Catina,  the  Midst  of  Sicily,  the 
South  Part  of  Sardinia,  Carteia,  and  Gades.  The  Gnomon 
of  one  hundred  Inches  yieldeth  a  Shadow  of  seventy-seven 
Inches.  The  Longest  Day  hath  Equinoctial  Hours  fourteen 
and  a  half,  with  the  thirtieth  part  of  an  Hour.  Under  the 
fourth  Circle  lie  those  who  are  on  the  other  Side  of  Imaus, 
the  South  Parts  of  Cappadocia,  Galatia,  Mysia,  Sardis, 
Smyrna,  Sipylus,  the  Mountain  Tmolus  in  Lydia,  Caria, 
Ionia,  Trallis,  Colophon,  Ephesus,  Miletus,  Samos,  Chios, 
the  Icarian  Sea,  the  Northern  Cyclades,  Athens,  Megara, 
Corinthus,  Sicyon,  Achsea,  Patrse,  Isthuios,  Epirus,  the 
North  Parts  of  Sicily,  Narbonensis  Gallia  toward  the  East,1 
the  Maritime  Parts  of  Spain  beyond  New  Carthage,  and  so 
to  the  West.  To  a  Gnomon  of  twenty-one  feet  the  Shadows 
answer  of  seventeen  Feet.  The  Longest  Day  is  fourteen 
Equinoctial  Hours,  and  two-third  parts  of  an  Hour.  The 
fifth  Division  containeth  from  the  Entrance  of  the  Caspian 
Sea,  Bactra,  Iberia,  Armenia,  Mysia,  Phrygia,  Hellespontus, 
Troas,  Tenedus,  Abydus,  Scepsis,  Ilium,  the  Mountain  Ida, 
Cyzicum,  Lampsacum,  Sinope,  Amisum,  Heraclea  in  Pontus, 
Paphlagonia,  Lemnus,  Imbrus,  Tliasus,  Cassandria,  Thes- 
salia,  Macedonia,  Larissa,  Amphipolis,  Thessalonice,  Pella, 
Edessa,  Bersea,  Pharsalia,  Carystum,  Euboea,  Breotia, 
Chaicis,  Delphi,  Acarnania,  ,/Etolia,  Apollonia,  Brundisium, 
Tarentum,  Thurii,  Locri,  Rhegium,  Lucani,  Neapolis,  Pu- 

1  Languedoc. 


BOOK  VI.]  History  of  Nature.  169 

teoli,  the  Tuscan  Sea,  Corsica,  the  Baleares,  the  Middle  of 
Spain.  A  Gnomon  of  seven  Feet  giveth  six  of  Shadow. 
The  Longest  Day  is  fifteen  Equinoctial  Hours.  The  sixth 
Parallel  compriseth  the  City  of  Rome,  and  containeth  the 
Caspian  Nations,  Caucasus,  the  North  Parts  of  Armenia, 
Apollonia  upon  Rhindacus,  Nicomedia,  Nicaea,  Chalcedon, 
Byzantium,  Lysimachia,  Cherrhonesus,  the  Gulf  Melane, 
Abdera,  Samothracia,  Maronea,  jEnus,  Bessica,  the  Mid- 
land Parts  of  Thracia,  Pceonia,  the  Illyrii,  Dyrrhachium, 
Canusium,  the  utmost  Coasts  of  Apulia,  Campania,  Hetruria, 
Pisae,  Luna,  Luca,  Genua,  Liguria,  Antipolis,  Massilia,  Nar- 
bon,  Tarracon,  the  Middle  of  Spain  called  Tarraconensis, 
and  thence  through  Lusitania.  To  a  Gnomon  of  nine  Feet 
the  Shadow  is  eight  Feet.  The  Longest  Day  hath  fifteen 
Equinoctial  Hours  and  the  ninth  part  of  an  Hour,  or  the 
fifth,  as  Nigidlus  is  of  opinion.  The  seventh  Division  be- 
ginneth  at  the  other  Coast  of  the  Caspian  Sea,  and  falleth 
upon  Callatis,  Bosphorus,  Borysthenes,  Tomos,  the  Back 
Parts  of  Thracia,  the  Tribali,  the  rest  of  Illyricum,  the 
Adriatic  Sea,  Aquileia,  Altinum,  Venetia,  Vicetia,  Patavium, 
Verona,  Cremona,  Ravenna,  Ancona,  Picenum,  Marsi, 
Peligni,  Sabini,  Umbria,  Ariminum,  Bononia,  Placentia, 
Mediolanum,  and  all  beyond  Apenninum :  also  over  the 
Alps,  Aquitaine  in  Gaul,  Vienna,  Pyrena&um,  and  Celtiberia. 
The  Gnomon  of  thirty-five  Feet  casteth  a  Shadow  thirty-six 
Feet  in  Length  ;  yet  so,  that  in  some  part  of  Venetia  the 
Shadow  is  equal  to  the  Gnomon.  The  Longest  Day  is  fif- 
teen Equinoctial  Hours,  and  three-fifth  parts  of  an  hour. 
Hitherto  we  have  reported  the  exact  Labours  of  the  Ancients. 
But  the  most  diligent  Modern  Writers  have  assigned  the  rest 
of  the  Earth  not  as  yet  specified,  to  three  Sections.  (The 
first)  from  Tanais  through  the  Lake  Maotis  and  the  Sar- 
matae,  all  the  way  to  Borysthenes,  and  so  by  the  Daci  and  a 
part  of  Germany,  the  Galliae,  and  the  Coasts  of  the  sur- 
rounding Ocean,  where  the  Day  is  sixteen  Hours  long.  A 
second,  through  the  Hyperborei  and  Britannia,  where  the 
Day  is  seventeen  Hours  long.  Last  of  all,  is  the  Scythian 
Parallel,  from  the  Rhiphean  Hills  unto  Thule :  in  which  (as 


170  History  of  Nature.  [BoOK  VI. 

we  have  said)  it  is  Day  and  Night  continually  by  turns. 
The  same  Writers  have  set  down  two  Circles,  before  those 
Points  where  the  others  began,  and  which  we  set  down. 
The  first  through  the  Island  Meroe,  and  Ptolemais  upon  the 
Red  Sea,  built  for  the  Hunting  of  Elephants ;  where  the 
Longest  Day  is  but  twelve  Hours  and  an  half:  the  second 
passing  through  Syene  in  Egypt,  where  the  Day  hath  thir- 
teen Hours.  And  the  same  Authors  have  put  to  every 
one  of  the  other  Circles,  even  to  the  very  last,  half  an  Hour 
more. 

THUS  MUCH  OF  THE  EARTH. 


IN   THE  SEVENTH    BOOK 

ARE   CONTAINED 
THE  WONDERFUL  SHAPES  OF  MEN  IN  VARIOUS  COUNTRIES. 


CHAP. 

1.  Strange  Forms  of  many  Na- 

tions. 

2.  Of  the   Scythians,  and  other 

People  of  different  Coun- 
tries. 

3.  Of  Monstrosities. 

4.  The    Transmutation    of    the 

Sexes  and  of  Twins. 

5.  De  Hominis  Generando. 

6.  De    Conceptions,     et      Signa 

Sexus   in   gravidis  prseve- 
nientia  Partum. 

7.  De  Conceptu  Hominum  et  Ge- 

neratione. 

8.  De  Agrippis. 

9 .  Monstruosi  Partus  excisi  Utero. 

10.  Qui  sunt  Yopisci. 

1 1 .  Exempla  numerosac  Sobolis. 

12.  Examples  of  those  that  were 

like  one  to  another. 

13.  Qua?  sit  Generandi  Ratio. 

14.  De  eodem  multiplicius. 

15.  De  Menstruis  Mulierum. 

16.  Item  de  llatione  Partuum. 

17.  The  Proportion  of  the  Parts 

of  Man's  Body,  and  Things 
therein  observed. 

18.  Examples     of     extraordinary 


19.  Remarkable  Natures  of  Men. 

20.  Of  bodily  Strength  and  Swift- 

ness. 

21.  Of  excellent  Sight. 

22.  Who  excelled  in  Hearing. 


23.  Examples  of  Patience. 

24.  Examples  of  Memory. 

25.  The  Praise  of  C.  Julius  Caesar. 

26.  The    Praise    of   Pompey    the 

Great, 

27.  The  Praise  of  Cato  the  Elder. 

28.  Of  Valour  and  Fortitude. 

29.  Of  notable  Abilities,   or  the 

Praises  of  some  for  their 
singular  Talents. 

30.  Of  Plato,   Enniw,   Virgil,  M. 

Varro,  and  M.  Cicero. 

31.  Of  Majesty  in  Behaviour. 

32.  Of  Authority. 

33.  Of  certain  Divine  Persons. 

34.  Of  (Scipio)  Nasica. 

35.  Of  Chastity. 

36.  Of     Piety     (Natural     Kind- 

ness). 

37.  Of  Excellency  in  many  Sci- 

ences; in  Astrology,  Gram- 
mar, Geometry,  &c. 

38.  Also,  Rare    Pieces   of  Work 

made  by  Artificers. 

39.  Of  Servants  and  Slaves. 

40.  The  Excellency  of  Nations. 

41.  Of  perfect  Contentment. 

42.  Examples  of  the  Variety  of 

Fortune. 

43.  Of  those  that  were  twice  out- 

lawed and  banished :  of  L. 
Sylla  and  Q.  Metellus. 

44.  Of  another  Metellus. 

45.  Of  the  Emperor  Augustus. 


172 


Contents  of  the  Seventh  Booh. 


CHAP. 

46.  Of  Men  deemed  most  happy 

by  the  Gods. 

47.  Who  was  ordered  to  be  wor- 

shipped as  a  God  while  he 
lived. 

48.  Of  those    that    lived    longer 

than  others. 

49.  Of     different    Nativities     of 

Men. 

50.  Many    Examples    of  strange 

Accidents  in  Sickness. 

51.  Of  the  Signs  of  Death. 

52.  Of  those  that  revived  when 


they  were  carried  forth  (to 
be  buried). 

53.  Of  sudden  Death. 

54.  Of  Sepulchres  and  Burials. 

55.  Of  the  Soul :  or  the  Manes. 

56.  The  first  Inventors  of  many 

Things. 

57.  Wherein     all     Nations    first 

agreed. 

58.  Of  ancient  Letters. 

59.  The  Beginning  of  Barbers  at 

Home. 

60.  When  first  Dials. 


In  sum,  there  are  in  this  Book,  of  Histories  and  Observations,  747. 


LATIN  AUTHORS  ABSTRACTED  : 

Verrius  Flaccus,  Cn.  Gellius,  Licinius  Mutianus,  Mutius,  Massurius, 
Agrippina  wife  of  Claudius,  M.  Cicero,  Asinius  Pollio,  Messala,  Rufus, 
Cornelius  Nepos,  Virgil,  Livy,  Cordus,  Melissus,  Sebosus,  Cornelius  Celsus, 
MaximusValerius,  Trogus,  Nigidius  Figulus,  Pomponius  Atticus,  Pedianus 
Asconius,  Salinus,  Cato  Censorius,  Fdbius  Vestalis. 

FOREIGN  WRITERS  : 

Herodotus,  Aristeas,  Beta,  Isigonus,  Crates,  Agatharcides,  Calliphanes, 
Aristotle,  Nymphodorus,  Apollonides,  Philarchus,  Damon,  Megasthcnes, 
Ctesias,  Tauron,  Eudoxus,  Onesicritus,  Clitarchus,  Duris,  Artemidorus, 
Hippocrates  the  Physician,  Asclepiander  the  Physician,  Hesiodus,  Anacreon, 
Theopompus,  Hellanicus,  Damasthes,  Ephorus,  Epigenes,  Berosus,  Pessiris, 
Necepsus,  Alexander  Polyhistor,  Xenophon,  Callimachus,  Democritus,  DuU- 
lius,  Polyhistor  the  Historian,  Strato  who  wrote  against  the  Propositions  and 
Theorems  of  Ephorus,  Heraclides  Ponticus,  Asclepiades  who  wrote  Trago- 
damena,  Philostephanus,  Hegesias,  Archimachus,  Thucydides,  Mnesigiton, 
Xenagoras,  Metrodorus  Scepsius,  Anticlides,  and  Critodemus. 


THE  SEVENTH  BOOK 


HISTORY    OF    NATURE, 


WRITTEN    BY 


C.  PLINIUS  SECUNDUS. 


THE  PREFACE. 

US  we  have  in  the  former  Books  treated  of 
the  World,  and  of  the  Lands,  Nations,  Seas, 
Islands,  and  remarkable  Cities  therein  con- 
tained. It  remainetli  now  to  discourse  of  the 
Nature  of  the  Living  Creatures  comprised  within 
the  same  :  a  point  which  would  require  as  deep 
a  Contemplation  as  any  other  Part  whatsoever,  if  the  Mind 
of  Man  were  able  to  comprehend  all  the  Things.  By  right 
the  chief  place  is  assigned  to  Man,  for  whose  sake  it  appears 
that  Nature  produced  all  other  Creatures ;  though  this  great 
favour  of  hers  is  severe  as  set  against  all  her  other  Gifts :  so 
that  it  is  hard  to  judge  whether  she  is  a  kinder  Parent  to 
Man,  or  a  cruel  Step-mother.  For,  in  preference  to  all  other 
Living  Creatures,  the  one  she  hath  clothed  with  the  Riches  of 
others :  to  the  rest  she  hath  assigned  a  variety  of  Coverings : 
as  Shells,  Barks,  Hard  Hides,  Spines,  Shag,  Bristles,  Hair, 
Feathers,  Quills,  Scales,  and  Fleeces.  The  Trunks  and 


174  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  VII. 

Stems  of  Trees  she  hath  defended  with  Bark,  which  is  some- 
times double,  against  the  injuries  both  of  Heat  and  Cold ! 
Man  alone  she  hath  cast  all  Naked  upon  the  bare  Earth, 
even  on  his  Birth-day,  immediately  to  cry  and  lament :  so 
that  among  so  many  Living  Creatures  there  is  none  subject 
to  shed  Tears  and  Weep  like  him  from  the  very  onset  of  his 
Existence.  And  verily,  however  forward  and  active  we  may 
be,  to  no  one  is  it  given  to  laugh  before  he  is  Forty  Days  old. 
From  this  glimmering  of  Light  he  is  bound  fast,  and  hath 
no  Member  at  liberty ;  a  thing  which  is  not  practised  upon 
the  Young  of  any  Wild  Beast  among  us.  The  Child  thus 
unhappily  born,  and  who  is  to  rule  all  other,  lieth  bound1 
Hand  and  Foot,  weeping  and  crying ;  and  receiveth  the 
auspices  of  Life  with  Punishments,  to  make  satisfaction  for 
this  only  Fault,  that  he  is  born  Alive.  What  madness  in 
such  as  think  this  the  proper  Beginning  of  those  who  are 
born  to  be  proud  !  The  first  Hope  of  our  Strength,  the  first 
gift  that  Time  affordeth  us,  maketh  us  no  better  than  four- 
footed  Beasts.  How  long  ere  we  can  go  alone  !  How  long- 
before  we  can  speak,  feed  ourselves  !  How  long  continueth 
the  Crown  of  our  Heads  to  palpitate, — the  mark  of  our  ex- 
ceeding great  weakness  above  all  other  Creatures !  Then 
the  Sicknesses,  and  so  many  Medicines  devised  against  these 
Maladies :  besides  the  new  Diseases  that  spring  up  to 
overcome  us.  Other  Living  Creatures  understand  their 
own  Nature ;  some  assume  the  use  of  their  swift  Feet, 
others  of  their  Wings ;  some  are  Strong ;  others  able  to 
Swim ;  but  Man  knoweth  nothing  unless  he  be  taught : 
not  even  to  speak,  or  go,  or  eat:  and,  in  short,  he  is 
naturally  good  at  nothing  but  to  weep.  And  hence  some 
have  insisted  on  it,  that  it  is  best  for  a  man  never  to  have 
been  born,  or  else  speedily  to  die.  To  one  only,  of  living 

1  The  artificial  bandages  inflicted  on  new-born  children  are  the  swad- 
dling-clothes referred  to  in  St.  Luke's  Gospel,  c.  ii.  v.  7  ;  but  they  can 
scarcely  be  numbered  among  the  necessary  evils  of  humanity,  for  they 
have  long  since  been  abolished  in  England.  In  the  seventh  chapter  of 
this  Book  the  Author  dwells  again  on  the  littleness  and  misery  of  the 
human  race. — Wern,  Club. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  175 

Creatures  is  it  given  to  mourn,  one  only  is  guilty  of  excess, 
and  that  in  a  vast  variety  of  ways,  and  through  every  Mem- 
ber that  he  has.  Who  but  we  are  ambitious  ?  Who  but 
we  are  avaricious  ?  None  but  we  possess  the  extravagant 
desire  of  living,  are  superstitious,  anxious  for  our  burial, 
and  what  shall  be  our  fate  when  we  are  gone.  To  none  is 
Life  more  frail ;  yet  to  no  Creature  is  there  a  greater  craving- 
after  every  thing  ;  none  suflfereth  under  a  more  terrifying 
Fear ;  and  none  more  furious  in  his  Rage.  To  conclude,  other 
Animals  live  orderly  according  to  their  kind :  we  see  them 
flock  together,  and  stand  against  others  of  a  contrary  kind ; 
the  Lions,  though  savage,  fight  not  one  with  another ; 
Serpents  sting  not  Serpents :  and  even  the  very  Beasts  and 
Fishes  of  the  Sea  war  not  upon  their  own  kind :  but,  by  Her- 
cules !  the  greatest  part  of  the  evils  that  happen  to  Men  are 
from  the  hand  of  Man  himself. 

CHAPTER  I. 
The  wonderful  Forms  of  Nations. 

IN  our  reports  of  Nations  we  have  spoken  in  general  of 
the  Human  Race  spread  over  the  Face  of  the  Earth.  Neither 
is  it  our  purpose  at  present  to  describe  particularly  all  their 
numberless  Customs  and  Manners  of  Life,  which  are  as 
many  as  there  are  Assemblies  of  Men.  However,  I  think  it 
good  not  to  omit  all,  but  to  make  relation  of  some  things 
concerning  those  People  especially  who  live  furthest  from 
the  Sea;  among  whom,  I  doubt  not  but  I  shall  find  such 
matter  as  to  most  Men  will  seem  both  prodigious  and 
incredible.  For  whoever  believed  that  there  were  Ethio- 
pians before  he  saw  them?  what  is  it  that  seemeth  not  a 
Wonder  at  the  First  Sight?  how  many  things  are  judged 
impossible  before  they  are  done?  and  the  Power  and  Ma- 
jesty of  Nature  in  every  particular  action  seemeth  incre- 
dible, if  we  consider  the  same  severally,  and  do  not  em- 
brace the  whole  at  once  in  the  Mind.  For,  to  say  nothing 
of  the  Peacocks'  Feathers,  of  the  Spots  of  Tigers  and  Pan- 
thers, of  the  Colours  that  ornament  so  many  Creatures 


176  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VII. 

besides :  let  us  come  to  one  only  point,  which  to  speak  of 
seemeth  small,  but  being  deeply  weighed,  is  a  matter  of 
exceeding  great  regard ;  and  that  is,  the  Speech  of  so 
many  Nations ;  so  many  Tongues ;  so  much  Variety  of 
Utterance,  that  a  Foreigner  seems  to  be  something  different 
from  a  Man.  Then  to  view  the  variety  that  appeareth  in 
our  Face  and  Countenance;  although  there  be  not  more 
than  Ten  Members  or  a  few  more,  among  so  many  thousand 
of  these,  not  Two  Persons  are  to  be  found  who  are  not 
distinct  in  Likeness:  a  thing  which  no  Art  can  perform,  in 
a  small  number  out  of  so  many.  And  yet  thus  much  must 
I  advertise  my  Readers,  that  I  will  not  pawn  my  credit 
for  many  things  that  I  shall  deliver ;  but  I  will  rather 
direct  them  to  the  Authors,  who  will  answer  them  in 
all  doubtful  points :  only  let  them  not  think  much  to  follow 
the  Greeks,  whose  Diligence  hath  been  greater,  and  their 
Attention  of  longer  standing. 

CHAPTER  II. 
Of  the  Scythians,  and  the  Diversity  of  othei*  Nations.1 

THAT  there  are  Scythians,  and  even  many  kinds  of 
them,  who  feed  ordinarily  on  Man's  Flesh,  we  have  shewn 

1  The  belief  of  the  ancients  in  the  existence  of  many  anomalous  races 
of  mankind,  was  a  portion  of  the  science  of  the  age ;  and  not  to  have 
given  it  credit,  and  a  place  in  his  work,  would  have  subjected  the  author 
to  as  much  reproach  for  scepticism,  as  the  notice  he  has  taken  of  them 
has  done  for  his  alledged  credulity.  And  so  far  as  Greek  authority  ex- 
tended, the  degree  of  credit  which  Pliny  assigned  to  these  strange  races, 
appears  to  have  been  well  founded ;  for  except  in  one  or  two  instances, 
the  errors  appear  to  have  sprung  from  misinterpretation,  rather  than 
from  a  positive  departure  from  truth.  Aristotle  is  sufficient  authority 
for  the  existence  of  a  race  of  pigmies,  who  are  also  mentioned  by  Hero- 
dotus ;  and  in  more  modern  times  that  excellent  naturalist  Belon  is  satis- 
fied concerning  them.  Nor  can  we,  even  now,  refuse  to  admit  the  possi- 
bility of  finding  their  representatives  in  the  Bushmen  still  existing  in 
Southern  Africa.  On  the  other  hand,  the  existence  of  men  of  enormous 
stature,  of  which  some  stupendous  instances  are  given  by  Pliny  (b.  vii. 
c.  xvi.),  is  attested  by  profane  as  well  as  by  sacred  history.  Thus  Pau- 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  177 

already,  (Bookiv.  12;  vi.l.)  The  thing  itself  would  be  thought 
incredible,  if  we  did  not  consider  that  in  the  very  Middle  of 
the  World,  even  in  Sicily  and  Italy,  there  have  been  Nations  of 
such  Monsters,  as  the  Cyclopae  and  Lystrigonse  :  and  also  very 

sanias  (in  his  "  Atticks,"  quoted  by  Bishop  Cumberland  in  his  translation 
of  Sanchoniatho)  says,  that  he  saw  in  the  Upper  Lydia  bones  whose 
figure  would  satisfy  any  man  that  they  were  men's  bones,  but  their  big- 
ness was  above  the  now  known  size  of  men.  He  also  mentions  the  bones 
of  Asterius,  in  the  neighbouring  country  of  the  Milesians ;  giving  the 
dimensions  of  his  body  to  be  no  less  than  ten  cubits  long,  and  that  he 
was  the  son  of  Anax ;  a  name  singularly  corresponding  with  a  race  men- 
tioned by  Moses,  and  the  sight  of  whom  terrified  and  humbled  the  Is- 
raelitish  spies.  It  is  not  a  little  strange,  as  Bishop  Cumberland  remarks, 
quoting  from  Cicero  "  de  Natura  Deorum,"  that  there  is  reason  to  believe, 
one  of  the  very  ancient  and  gigantic  persons  known  under  the  name  of 
Hercules  had  six  fingers  on  each  hand,  as  is  also  noticed  of  the  last  de- 
scendants of  this  mighty  race,  in  the  second  book  of  Samuel,  c.  xxi.  The 
tradition  that  such  enormous  people  existed  in  the  early  ages  of  the 
world  is  often  referred  to  by  Homer,  and  other  ancient  writers,  who 
drew  from  thence  the  erroneous  conclusion,  that  the  whole  human  race 
had,  since  their  day,  become  gradually  weaker  and  more  diminutive ; 
whereas,  in  the  only  authentic  history  of  these  remote  ages  it  is  clearly 
intimated,  that  this  vast  stature  was  limited  to  particular  families  or 
nations,  who  even  at  that  time  were  thought  remarkable  by  all  besides  ; 
and  who  were  finally  exterminated  by  their  neighbours,  perhaps  as  the 
only  resource  against  their  violence.  The  Macrocephali,  or  long  heads, 
(mentioned  b.  vi.  c.  4)  may  be  supposed  to  have  owed  their  peculiarity  to 
the  habit  of  employing  pressure  to  mould  their  heads  in  early  infancy 
into  the  compressed  and  elevated  form,  as  is  now  practised  by  some  tribes 
on  the  continent  of  America ;  and  such  as  are  mentioned  with  exceedingly 
short  necks  may,  perhaps,  have  been  marked  only  with  a  personal  de- 
formity ;  but  the  people  with  intensely  black  skin,  to  all  of  whom,  how- 
ever otherwise  different,  the  ancients  seem  to  have  assigned  indiscrimi- 
nately the  name  of  Ethiopians,  are  judged  by  Pliny  to  display  a  more 
remarkable  phenomenon  than  all  the  strange  forms  he  has  occasion  to 
notice ;  as  we  also  should  probably  do,  if  living  instances  had  not  ren- 
dered it  common.  We  may  include  in  another  section  those  singular 
examples  of  the  human  race,  which  the  author  supposes  to  be  comprised 
in  nations,  but  which  are  more  probably  reported  as  of  rare  or  casual 
occurrence,  or  perhaps  nothing  beyond  an  accidental  monstrosity.  Such 
we  know  to  be  the  case  with  the  Albinoes,  with  white  hair  and  tender 
eyes ;  and  perhaps  also  the  monoculous  king,  and  the  Arimaspians,  who 
are  mentioned  also  by  Herodotus,  together  with  the  other  Cyclopaean 

VOL.  II.  N 


178  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VII. 

lately,  on  the  other  side  of  the  Alps,1  there  are  those  that 
kill  Men  for  Sacrifice,  after  the  manner  of  those  (Scythian) 
people,  which  differs  but  little  from  eating  their  Flesh. 
Moreover,  near  to  those  Scythians  that  inhabit  Northward, 
not  far  from  the  very  rising  of  the  North-east  Wind,  and 

people,  whose  singularities  may  have  referred  to  some  manner  in  the 
habitual  use  of  the  organ,  rather  than  to  an  actual  deformity.  A  third 
section  of  these  supposed  anomalous  people  may  obviously  be  referred  to 
the  quadrumanous  tribes:  a  class  of  creatures  so  nearly  approaching  to 
the  external  form  of  humanity,  that  we  cannot  feel  surprised  if  ignorant 
travellers,  who  viewed  only  at  a  distance,  and  with  minds  prepared  to 
welcome  every  wonder  —  the  oran  outang  and  pongo  —  were  not  able  to 
discern  a  generic  difference  between  them  and  the  truly  human  race. 
Such  were  the  hairy  men  and  women  mentioned  in  the  31st  chapter  of 
this  book,  the  satyrs,  Choromandae,  and  people  with  no  noses,  or  having 
tails,  a  figure  of  the  latter  being  found  on  an  abraxis,  or  amulet,  engraved 
by  Montfau9on ;  but  through  the  whole  of  his  narrative  we  observe  that 
the  author  is  careful  to  give  his  authorities,  as  being  aware  that  what 
appeared  so  strange  must  be  made  to  rest  upon  the  credit  of  those  who 
had  originally  reported  it.  Some  of  these  instances,  indeed,  admit  of  no 
interpretation  that  we  are  able  to  afford  them ;  but  in  regard  to  one  of 
the  strangest  of  them,  Purchas  gives  the  authority  of  Fitch,  an  English- 
man :  "  I  went  from  Bengala  into  the  country  of  Couche,  not  far  from 
Cauchin  China.  The  people  have  ears  which  be  marvellous  great,  of  a 
span  long,  which  they  draw  out  in  length  by  devices  when  they  be 
young."  In  addition  to  the  strange  forms  of  men  mentioned  by  Pliny, 
Diodorus  Siculus  mentions  some  in  an  island  discovered  by  Jambulus, 
whose  bones  were  as  flexible  as  nerves  (tendons)  :  the  holes  of  their  ears 
far  wider  than  ours ;  and  with  tongues  deeply  cloven,  so  that  they  imi- 
tate the  song  of  birds,  and  can  ordinarily  speak  to  two  men  at  once. — 
Wern.  Club. 

1  The  people  here  referred  to  are  the  Gauls.  Caesar  (de  Bell.  Gall. 
lib.  vi.)  says,  "  The  whole  nation  of  the  Gauls  is  much  addicted  to  reli- 
gious observances,  and  on  that  account,  those  who  are  attacked  by  any  of 
the  more  serious  diseases,  and  those  who  are  involved  in  the  danger  of 
warfare,  either  offer  human  sacrifices  or  make  a  vow  that  they  will  offer 
them,  and  they  employ  the  Druids  to  officiate  at  their  sacrifices ;  for  they 
consider  that  the  favour  of  the  immortal  gods  cannot  be  conciliated, 
unless  the  life  of  one  man  be  offered  up  for  that  of  another :  they  have  also 
sacrifices  of  the  same  kind  appointed  on  behalf  of  the  state.  Some  have 
images  of  enormous  size,  the  limbs  of  which  they  make  of  wicker-work, 
and  fill  with  living  men,  and  setting  them  on  fire,  the  men  are  destroyed 
by  the  flames."—  Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  1 79 

about  that  Cave  out  of  which  that  Wind  is  said  to  issue, 
which  place  they  call  Gesclithron,  the  Arimaspi  are  reported 
to  dwell,  who,  as  we  have  said,1  are  distinguished  by  having 
One  Eye  in  the  midst  of  their  Forehead,  and  who  are  in 
constant  War  about  the  Mines  with  the  Griffins,2  a  flying 
kind  of  Wild  Beasts,  which  used  to  fetch  Gold  out  of  the 
Veins  of  those  Mines ;  which  savage  Beasts  (as  many  Authors 
have  recorded,  and  particularly  Herodotus  and  Aristeas  the 
Proconnesian,  two  Writers  of  greatest  Name)  strive  as 
eagerly  to  keep  the  Gold  as  the  Arimaspi  to  snatch  it  from 
them.  Above  those  other  Scythians  called  Anthropophagi, 
there  is  a  Country  named  Abarimon,  within  a  certain 
extensive  Valley  of  the  Mountain  Imaus,  in  which  are 
Wild  Men,  wandering  about  among  brute  Beasts,  and 
having  their  Feet  directed  backward  behind  the  Calves 
of  their  Legs,  but  able  to  run  very  swiftly.  This  kind 
of  Men  cannot  live  in  any  other  Climate  than  their  own, 
which  is  the  reason  that  they  cannot  be  conveyed  to  the 
Kings  that  border  upon  them ;  nor  could  they  be  brought 
to  Alexander  the  Great,  as  Beton  hath  reported,  who  was 
the  Surveyor  of  the  Journeys  of  that  Prince.  The  former 
Anthropophagi  whom  we  have  placed  in  the  North,  Ten 
Days'  Journey  above  the  River  Borysthenes,  are  accustomed 
to  drink  out  of  the  Skulls  of  Men,  and  to  wear  the  Skins 
with  the  Hair  for  Mantles  before  their  Breasts,  according 
to  Isigonus  the  Nicean.  The  same  Writer  affirmeth,  that 
in  Albania  there  are  produced  certain  Individuals  who  have 
the  Sight  of  their  Eyes  of  a  bluish-grey  Colour,  who  from 
their  Childhood  are  grey-headed,  and  can  see  better  by 
Night  than  by  Day.  He  reporteth  also  that  Ten  Days' 
Journey  above  the  Borysthenes,  there  are  the  Sauromatse, 
who  never  eat  but  once  in  Three  Days.  Crates  of  Per- 
gamus  saith,  that  in  Hellespont  about  Pariuni  there  was 
a  kind  of  Men,  whom  he  nameth  Ophiogenes,  who,  if  one 
were  stung  by  a  Serpent,  with  touching  only  will  ease  it; 
and  if  they  lay  their  Hand  upon  the  Wound,  are  able  to 

1  Lib.  iv.  12,  and  lib.  vi.  17. 

*  The  griffins  are  again  mentioned,  book  x.  chap.  49.—  Wern.  Club. 


180  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VII. 

draw  forth  all  the  Poison  from  the  Body.  Varro  also  testi- 
fieth,  that  even  at  this  Day  there  are  a  few  who  cure  the 
Stinging  of  Serpents  with  their  Spittle.  Agatharcides 
writeth,  that  in  Africa  the  Psylli,1  who  are  so  called  from 
king  Psyllus,  whose  Sepulchre  is  in  a  part  of  the  Greater 

1  The  earliest  existing  reference  that  we  have  to  the  Psylli,  or  serpent- 
charmers,  is  found  in  the  58th  Psalm,  the  8th  verse ;  and  the  art  is  yet 
practised  in  the  East.  These  men  were,  and  still  are,  distinct  tribes  in 
their  several  countries,  professing  the  power  they  claim  to  be  an  inherent 
and  natural  function.  Lucan,  in  the  5th  book  of  his  "  Pharsalia,"  gives  a 
complete  exposition  of  the  ancient  belief  concerning  the  charming  of  ser- 
pents. He  chiefly  describes  the  measures  which  were  taken  to  protect 
the  Roman  camp.  When  the  encampment  was  marked  out,  the  serpent- 
charmers  marched  around  it  chanting  their  charms,  the  mystic  sounds  of 
which  chased  the  serpents  far  away.  But  not  trusting  entirely  to  this, 
fires  of  different  kinds  of  wood  were  kept  up  beyond  the  furthest  tents, 
the  smell  of  which  prevented  the  serpents  from  approaching.  Thus  the 
camp  was  protected  during  the  night.  But  if  any  soldier  when  abroad  in 
the  day  time  happened  to  be  bitten,  the  Psylli  exerted  their  power  to 
effect  a  cure.  First  they  rubbed  the  wounded  part  around  with  saliva, 
to  prevent,  as  they  said,  the  poison  from  spreading  while  they  assayed 
their  arts  to  extract  it :  — 

"  Then  sudden  he  begins  the  magic  song, 

And  rolls  the  numbers  hasty  o'er  his  tongue ; 

Swift  he  runs  on,  nor  pauses  once  for  breath, 

To  stop  the  progress  of  approaching  death ; 

He  fears  the  cure  might  suffer  by  delay, 

And  life  be  lost  but  for  a  moment's  stay. 

Thus  oft,  though  deep  within  the  veins  it  lies, 

By  magic  numbers  chased,  the  mischief  flies : 

But  if  it  hear  too  slow,  if  still  it  stay, 

And  scorn  the  potent  charmer  to  obey ; 

With  forceful  lips  he  fastens  on  the  wound, 

Drains  out  and  spits  the  venom  to  the  ground." — HOWE. 
Lane  ("  Modern  Egyptian")  gives  a  particular  account  of  the  different 
methods  made  use  of  by  the  Psylli  of  the  present  day  when  exhibiting 
their  supposed  powers.  As  to  the  pretensions  of  ancient  as  well  as  mo- 
dern serpent-charmers,  of  being  in  their  own  persons  insensible  to  the 
poison  of  the  reptiles,  there  is  no  satisfactory  proof  of  it :  indeed  numerous 
instances  to  the  contrary  have  occurred ;  and  where  they  escape  unharmed, 
it  is  to  be  attributed  to  the  poison  fangs  having  been  previously  extracted, 
or  to  their  fearless  handling  of  the  deadly  creatures. — See  the  note  on 
Ps.  Iviii.  5,  in  the  "  Pictorial  Bible,"  by  Dr.  Kitto.—  Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  181 

Syrtes,  could  do  the  like.  These  Men  had  naturally  in 
their  Bodies  a  Poison  fatal  to  Serpents,  so  that  by  the 
Smell  of  it  they  were  able  to  stupify  them.  And  by 
this  means  they  used  to  try  the  Chastity  of  their  Wives. 
For  as  soon  as  their  Children  were  born,  they  exposed 
them  to  the  most  furious  Serpents ;  for  these  would  not  fly 
from  them  if  they  were  begotten  in  Adultery.  This  Nation, 
in  general,  hath  been  almost  entirely  extirpated  by  the 
Nasamones,  who  now  inhabit  those  parts;  but  a  kind  of 
these  Men  remaineth  still,  descended  from  those  who  fled, 
or  else  who  were  not  present  when  the  Battle  was  fought;  but 
they  exist  in  small  Companies.  In  like  manner,  the  Nation 
of  the  Marsi  continue  in  Italy,  who  preserve  the  Reputa- 
tion of  being  descended  from  a  Son  of  Circe,  and  therefore 
possess  the  same  natural  faculty.  Yet  so  it  is  that  all  Men 
possess  within  them  that  which  is  Poison  to  Serpents :  for 
it  is  reported  they  flee  from  Man's  Spittle,  as  they  do  from 
the  touch  of  Scalding  Water ;  but  if  it  penetrate  into  their 
Mouth,  especially  if  it  come  from  a  Man  that  is  fasting,  it  is 
present  Death.  Beyond  the  Nasamonse,  and  their  Neigh- 
bours the  Machlyse,  there  are  Androgyni,  of  a  double  Nature, 
inter  se  vicibus  coeuntes,  as  Calliphanes  reporteth.  Aristotle 
adds,  that  their  Right  Breast  is  like  that  of  a  Man,  and  the 
Left  that  of  a  Woman.  In  the  same  Africa  Isigonus  and  Nym- 
phodorus  avouch  that  there  are  certain  Families  of  Charmers: 
who,  if  they  praise,  destroy  the  Sheep,  cause  the  Trees  to 
wither,  and  Infants  to  pine  away  to  death.  Isigonus  addeth 
further,  that  there  are  People  of  the  same  kind  among  the  Tri- 
balli  and  Illyrii,  who  charm  with  their  Eyesight,  and  kill  those 
whom  they  look  upon  for  a  long  time,  especially  if  their  Eyes 
look  angry  :  which  Evil  of  theirs  is  more  quickly  felt  by  those 
who  are  above  the  age  of  Puberty.  It  is  worthy  of  remark, 
that  they  have  two  Pupils  in  each  Eye.  Of  this  kind  Apol- 
lonides  saith,  there  are  also  Women  in  Scythia  named  Bithyse. 
PJdlarchus  witnesseth,  that  in  Pontus  also  the  Race  of 
the  Thibii,  and  many  others,  have  the  same  Quality  :  of 
whom  he  giveth  these  marks,  that  in  one  of  their  Eyes  they 
have  two  Pupils,  and  in  the  other  the  Resemblance  of  a 


182  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  VII. 

Horse.  He  reporteth  also,  that  they  cannot  sink  in  the 
Water,  not  even  if  weighed  down  with  Apparel.  Damon 
reports  that  there  is  a  sort  of  People  not  unlike  these  in 
Ethiopia,  called  Pharnaces,  whose  Sweat,  if  it  chance  to 
touch  a  Man's  Body,  presently  causeth  him  to  waste  away. 
And  Cicero,1  a  Writer  of  our  own,  testifieth,  that  all  Women 
everywhere  who  have  double  Pupils  in  their  Eyes  inflict 
Injury  with  their  Sight.  In  such  manner  Nature,  having 
generated  in  Man  this  custom  of  Wild  Beasts,  to  feed  upon 
the  Bowels  of  Men,  hath  taken  Delight  also  to  generate 
Poisons  in  their  whole  Body,  and  even  in  the  very  Eyes  of 
some ;  that  there  should  be  no  evil  in  the  whole  World,  that 
might  not  be  likewise  found  in  Man.  Not  far  from  the  City 
of  Rome,  within  the  Territory  of  the  Falisci,  there  are  a  few 
Families  called  Hirpiae,  which  at  their  Yearly  Sacrifice  cele- 
brated to  Apollo  upon  the  Mount  Soracte,  walk  upon  the 
pile  of  Wood  as  it  is  on  Fire  without  being  burnt.2  On 
which  account,  by  a  perpetual  Act  of  the  Senate,  they  possess 
an  Immunity  from  War  and  all  other  Public  Services. 
Some  men  have  certain  Parts  of  their  Bodies  naturally 
working  surprising  Effects.  As  for  example,  King  Pyrrhus,3 
whose  Great  Toe  of  his  Right  Foot  was  a  Remedy  by  its 


1  This  must  have  been  in  some  of  the  lost  works  of  Cicero,  as  no 
such  opinion  is  found  in  any  of  his  extant  writings. —  Wern.  Club. 

1  The  art  of  treading  bare-foot  on  burning  embers,  red-hot  iron,  &c., 
which  has  its  professors  in  the  present  day,  is  from  this  passage  shewn  to 
be  of  great  antiquity ;  Virgil  also  alludes  to  the  same  when  he  speaks  of 
the  annual  festival  of  the  Hirpi  on  Mount  Soracte,  in  Etruria,  where 
Chlorcus,  the  priest  of  Cybele,  thus  addresses  Apollo  (/En.  xi.  785)  : — 
"  O  patron  of  Soracte's  high  abodes ! 
Phoebus,  the  ruling  power  among  the  gods ! 
Whom  first  we  serve :  whole  woods  of  unctuous  pine 
Are  fell'd  for  thee,  and  to  thy  glory  shine ; 
By  thee  protected^  with  our  naked  soles, 

Through  flames  unsinged  we  march,  and  tread  the  kindled  coals." 

DRYDEN.—  Wern.  Club. 

3  According  to  Plutarch,  in  his  life  of  Pyrrhus,  the  person  of  this  king 
was  very  extraordinary  : — "  Instead  of  teeth  in  his  upper  jaw,  he  had  one 
continued  bone,  marked  with  small  lines  resembling  the  divisions  of  a  row 


BOOK  V 1 1 .]  History  of  Nature,  1 83 

Touch  for  them  that  had  Diseased  Spleens.  And  they  say,  that 
when  the  rest  of  his  Body  was  Burned  that  Great  Toe  could 
not  be  consumed :  so  that  it  was  preserved  in  a  little  Case  in 
the  Temple.  But  principally  India  and  the  whole  Tract  of 
Ethiopia  is  full  of  these  wonderful  Things.  The  greatest  Ani- 
mals are  bred  in  India,  as  will  appear  by  their  Dogs,1  which 
are  much  greater  than  those  of  other  Parts.  And  there  are 
Trees  growing  in  that  Country  to  such  a  Height,  that  a 
Man  cannot  shoot  an  Arrow  over  them.  The  reason  of  this 
is  the  Goodness  of  the  Soil,  the  Temperature  of  the  Air,  and 
the  Abundance  of  Water:  which  is  the  cause  also  that  under 
a  single  Fig-tree,2  if  it  can  be  believed,  Squadrons  of  Horse- 
men may  stand.  There  are  Reeds  also  of  such  Length3  that 
between  every  Joint  they  will  yield  sufficient  to  make  Boats 
able  to  receive  three  Men.  There  are  many  Men  there  who 
are  above  five  Cubits  in  Height :  never  do  they  Spit :  they 
are  not  troubled  with  Pain  in  the  Head,  Toothache,  or  any 
Disease  of  the  Eyes,  and  seldom  of  any  other  Parts  of  the 
Body;  so  hardy  are  they  through  the  Moderate  Heat  of  the 
Sun.  There  are  certain  Philosophers,  whom  they  call  Gym- 
nosophistae,4  who  from  Sunrising  to  its  setting  persevere  in 
standing  and  looking  full  against  the  Sun  without  once 

of  teeth.  It  was  believed  that  he  cured  the  swelling  of  the  spleen,  by 
sacrificing  a  white  cock,  and  with  his  right  foot  gently  pressing  the  part 
affected,  the  patients  lying  on  their  backs  for  that  purpose.  There  was 
no  person,  however  poor  or  mean,  to  whom  he  refused  this  relief,  if 
requested.  He  received  no  reward,  except  the  cock  for  sacrifice ;  and  this 
present  was  very  agreeable  to  him.  It  is  also  said  that  the  great  toe  of 
that  foot  had  a  divine  virtue  in  it ;  for,  after  his  death,  when  the  rest  of 
his  body  was  consumed,  that  toe  was  found  entire  and  untouched  by  the 
flames." — LANGHORNE.  The  reader  will  here  be  reminded  of  the  royal 
touch  for  the  cure  of  scrofulous  diseases  once  exercised  by  our  own  kings. 
—  Wern.  Club. 

1  Pliny  (lib.  viii.  40)  tells  us  of  one  of  these  Indian  dogs  that  con- 
quered a  lion. — Wern.  Club. 

3  The  Ficus  Religiosa,  well  known  to  modern  travellers. —  Wern.  Club. 

3  Lib.  xvi.  36. 

4  It  is  remarkable  to  observe  how  exactly  the  austerities  of  these 
ancient  gymnosophists  are  still  practised  by  the  Fakirs  of  India.—  Wern. 
Club. 


184  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VII. 

moving  their  Eyes  :  and  from  Morning  to  Night  stand  some- 
times on  one  Leg,  and  sometimes  on  the  other,  on  the  Burn- 
ing Sand.  Meyasthenes  writeth,  that  on  a  Mountain  named 
Milo,  there  are  Men  whose  Feet  are  turned  backward,  and 
on  each  Foot  they  have  eight  Toes.  And  in  many  other 
Mountains  there  is  a  kind  of  Men  with  Heads  like  Dogs,  clad 
all  over  with  the  Skins  of  Wild  Beasts,  and  who  instead  of 
Speech  used  to  Bark :  they  are  armed  with  Nails,  and  they  live 
on  the  Prey  which  they  get  by  Hunting  Beasts,  and  Fowling. 
Ctesias  writeth  that  there  were  known  of  them  above 
120,000  in  number ;  and  that  in  a  certain  Country  of 
India  the  Women  bear  but  once  in  their  Life,  and  their 
Infants  presently  become  Grey.  Likewise,  that  there  is  a 
kind  of  People  named  Monoscelli,  which  have  but  one  Leg, 
but  they  are  exceedingly  Swift,  and  proceed  by  Hopping. 
These  same  Men  are  also  called  Sciopodse,  because  in  the 
hottest  Season  they  lie  along  on  their  Back  on  the  Ground, 
and  defend  themselves  with  the  Shadow  of  their  Feet :  and 
these  People  are  not  far  from  the  Trogloditae.  Again,  be- 
yond these  westward,  some  there  are  without  a  Neck,  but 
carrying  their  Eyes  in  their  Shoulders.  Among  the  Western 
Mountains  of  India  there  are  the  Satyri  (the  Country  where 
they  are  is  called  the  Region  of  the  Cartaduli),  the  swiftest 
of  all  Animals :  which  sometimes  run  on  four  Legs,  at 
others  on  two  Feet  like  Men :  but  so  light-footed  are  they, 
that  unless  they  are  very  Old  or  Sick  they  cannot  be  taken. 
Tauron  writeth,  that  the  Choromandee  are  a  wild  People, 
without  any  Voice,  but  uttering  a  horrible  Noise :  their 
Bodies  Hairy,  their  Eyes  bluish-grey,  their  Teeth  like  Dogs. 
Eudoxus  saith,  that  in  the  South  Parts  of  India  the  Men 
have  Feet  a  Cubit  long,  but  those  of  the  Women1  are 
so  small  that  they  are  called  Struthopodes.  Megasthenes 
writeth,  that  among  the  Indian  Nomadse  there  is  a  Nation 

1  This  character  is  so  applicable  to  Chinese  women,  that  it  seems  to 
point  out  the  great  antiquity  to  which  the  strange  custom  of  binding  their 
feet  can  be  traced.  The  name  of  Struthopodes,  or  ostrich-footed,  can  only 
have  been  applied  to  them  by  foreigners,  but  is  not  badly  descriptive  of 
the  figure  of  this  artificial  deformity. —  Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  185 

that  instead  of  Noses  have  only  two  small  Orifices,  and  after 
the  manner  of  Snakes  have  wiry  Legs,  and  are  named 
Syrictse.  In  the  utmost  Borders  of  India,  eastward,  about 
the  Source  of  the  Ganges,  there  is  a  Nation  called  the 
Asthomes,  having  no  Mouths :  hairy  over  the  whole  Body, 
but  clothed  with  the  Down  of  the  Branches  of  Trees :  they 
live  only  by  the  Vapour  and  Smell  which  they  draw  in  at 
their  Nostrils :  no  Meat  or  Drink  do  they  take,  but  only 
various  pleasant  Odours  from  Roots,  Flowers,  and  Wild 
Fruits ;  which  they  carry  with  them  when  they  take  a  Long 
Journey,  because  they  would  not  miss  their  Smelling;  but  if 
the  Scent  be  a  little  too  strong  they  are  soon  deprived  of 
Life.  Higher  in  the  Country,  in  the  Edge  of  the  Mountains, 
the  Pygmaei  Spithamei  are  reported  to  be ;  which  are  three 
Spans  in  Length,  that  is,  not  exceeding  three  times  nine 
Inches.  The  Climate  is  healthy,  and  ever  like  the  Spring, 
by  reason  that  the  Mountains  are  on  the  North  side  of  them. 
And  these  People  Homer*  also  hath  reported  to  be  much 
annoyed  by  Cranes.  The  report  goeth,  that  in  the  Time  of 
Spring  they  set  out  all  in  a  great  Troop,  mounted  upon  the 
Backs  of  Rams  and  Goats,  armed  with  Darts,  to  go  down  to 
the  Sea-side,  and  devour  the  Eggs  and  Young  of  their 
Winged  prey.  For  three  Months  this  Expedition  continueth, 
for  otherwise  they  would  not  be  able  to  withstand  their  future 
Flocks.  Their  Cottages  are  made  of  Clay,  Feathers,  and 
Egg-shells.  Aristotle2  writeth,  that  the  Pygmsei  live  in 
Caves.  For  all  the  other  matters  he  reported  the  same  as 
all  the  rest.  Isigonus  saith,  that  the  kind  of  Indians  named 
Cyrni  live  a  hundred  and  forty  Years.  The  like  he  thinketh 
of  the  Ethiopian  Macrobii  and  the  Serse,  and  those  who 

1  Iliad,  lib.  iii.  6  :— 

"  So  when  inclement  winters  vex  the  plain 
With  piercing  frosts,  or  thick  descending  rain, 
To  warmer  seas  the  cranes  embodied  fly, 
With  noise,  and  order,  through  the  mid- way  sky : 
To  pygmy  nations  wounds  and  death  they  bring, 
And  all  the  war  descends  upon  the  wing." — POPE. 

a  Hist.  Anim.  lib.  viii.  15. 


186  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VII. 

dwell  upon  Mount  Athos :  and  of  these  last,  because  they 
Feed  on  Vipers'1  Flesh,  and  therefore  it  is  that  no  offensive 
Creatures  are  found  on  their  Heads,  nor  on  their  Clothes. 
Onesicritus  affirmeth,  that  in  those  Parts  of  India  there  are 
no  Shadows,  that  the  Men  are  five  Cubits  and  two  Palms  in 
Stature,  that  they  live  one  hundred  and  thirty  Years :  and 
never  bear  the  Marks  of  Age,  but  die  as  if  they  were  in  the 
middle  of  their  age.  Crates  of  Pergamus  nameth  those 
Indians,  who  live  above  an  hundred  Years,  Gymnetae :  but 
not  a  few  call  them  Macrobii.  Ctesias  saith  there  is  a  Race 
of  Indians,  named  Pandore,  inhabiting  certain  Valleys,  who 
live  two  hundred  Years :  in  their  youthful  Time  their  Hair  is 
White,  but  as  they  grow  old  it  becometh  Black.  On  the 
other  hand,  there  are  some  who  are  Neighbours  to  the 
Macrobii,  who  exceed  not  forty  Years,  and  their  Women 
bear  but  once  in  their  Lifetime.  And  this  also  is  avouched 
by  Agatharcides,  who  addeth,  that  they  feed  on  Locusts,  and 
are  swift  of  Foot.  Clitarchus  and  Megasthenes  name  them 
Mandri,  and  number  up  three  hundred  Villages  in  their 
Country :  also,  that  the  Women  bear  Children  when  they 
are  but  seven  Years  old,  and  are  aged  at  forty.  Artemi- 
dorus  affirmeth,  that  in  the  Island  Taprobana  the  People 
live  exceeding  long  without  any  Bodily  Infirmity.  Duris 
maketh  report,  that  certain  Indians  have  fellowship  witli 
Beasts,  of  which  acquaintance  are  bred  a  mixed  and  half 
Savage  Race ;  that  among  the  Calingi,  a  Nation  of  India, 
the  Women  conceive  at  five  Years  of  Age,  and  live  not  above 
eight.  In  another  Tract  of  that  Country,  there  are  Men  with 
shaggy  Tails  and  of  great  Swiftness  :  and  some  again  that 
with  their  Ears  cover  their  whole  Body.  The  Orites  are 
divided  from  the  Indians  by  the  River  Arbis.  They  are 
acquainted  with  no  other  Food  but  Fish,  which  they  split 
in  Pieces  with  their  Nails,  and  Roast  against  the  Sun, 
and  then  make  Bread  of  it,  as  Clitarchus  makes  Report. 
Crates  of  Pergamus  saith,  that  the  Trogloditae  above  Ethiopia 
are  swifter  than  Horses,  and  that  there  are  Ethiopians  above 

1  Lib.  xxix.  6. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  187 

eight  Cubits  High :  that  this  Nation  of  Ethiopian  Nomades 
is  called  Syrbotse,  and  dwelleth  along  the  River  Astapus, 
toward  the  North.  The  Nation  called  Menismini  dwell 
Twenty  Days' Journey  from  the  Ocean,  and  live  on  the  Milk 
of  certain  Animals  which  we  call  Cynocephali,1  of  which 
they  keep  Flocks  of  the  Females,  but  they  kill  the  Males, 
except  only  enough  to  preserve  the  Race.  In  the  Deserts  of 
Africa  you  will  meet  oftentimes  with  Appearances  in  the 
shape  of  Men,  but  they  vanish  in  an  instant.  Ingenious 
Nature  disposes  this  and  such-like  things,  as  a  Pastime  to 
her,  but  which  are  Miracles  to  us.  And  indeed,  who  is  able 
to  recount  every  one  of  her  Sports,  which  she  accomplishes 
daily  and  even  hourly  ?  Let  it  suffice  therefore,  in  order  to 
declare  her  Power,  that  we  have  set  down  those  prodigious 
Works  of  hers,  as  displayed  in  whole  Nations.  And  now  we 
proceed  to  a  few  Particulars  that  are  well  known  in  regard 
to  Man. 

CHAPTER  lit. 

Of  Prodigious  Births* 

THAT  Women  may  bring  forth  three  at  one  Birth,  ap- 
peareth  evidently  by  the  example  of  the  Horatii  and  Curiatii. 
But  to  exceed  that  number  is  reputed  to  be  among  the  Por- 
tents ;  except  in  Egypt,  where  Women  are  more  fruitful  by 
drinking  the  Water  of  the  Nile.  Of  late  Years,  about  the 
latter  end  of  the  Reign  of  Divus  Augustus,  a  Woman  at  Ostia 
named  Fausta,  of  ordinary  Rank,  was  delivered  of  two 
Boys  and  as  many  Girls  ;  but  this  was  a  Portent  beyond 

1  The  cynocephalus  anubis  of  modern  zoologists  is  without  doubt  here 
intended.—  Wern.  Club. 

2  "  Prodigious  births  :"  that  is,  not  simply  out  of  the  common  course 
of  nature,  but  such  as  were  believed  to  be  prophetic  of  some  remarkable 
events,  and  so  reported  by  augurs  to  the  proper  authorities.   What,  at  the 
end  of  this  chapter,  Pliny  reports  that  he  had  himself  seen,  is  of  no  uncom- 
mon occurrence,  and  would  be  regarded  among  us  as  nothing  beyond  a 
monstrous  birth,  an  irregular  formation  of  nature ;  but  the  incident  he 
mentions  last  can  only  be  regarded  as  a  proof  of  the  great  agitation  of  the 
public  mind,  at  a  period  when  the  danger  was  a  sufficient  motive  to  raise 
and  propagate  the  strangest  reports. —  Wern.  Club. 


1 88  History  of  Nature.  [  BOOK  VII. 

doubt  of  the  Famine  that  ensued.  In  Peloponnesus  also 
there  is  found  a  Woman,  who  brought  forth  at  four  Births 
twenty  Children,  and  the  greater  Part  of  them  lived. 
Trogus  is  the  authority,  that  in  Egypt  a  Woman  hath  borne 
seven  at  a  Birth.  It  falleth  out,  moreover,  that  there  come 
into  the  World  Children  of  both  Sexes  in  one,  whom  we  call 
Hermaphrodites.  In  old  Time  they  were  known  by  the 
Name  of  Androgyni,  and  reputed  for  Prodigies ;  but  now 
Men  take  Pleasure  in  them.  Pompey  the  Great,  in  the 
Theatre  which  he  adorned  with  remarkable  Ornaments,  as 
well  for  the  subject  as  the  most  exquisite  Hand  of  the  great 
Artists,  among  other  Images  represented  Euticht,  a  Woman 
of  Tralles,  who  after  she  had  borne  thirty  Births,  was  carried 
by  twenty  of  her  Children  to  the  Funeral  Fire  for  to  be 
burnt.  Alcippb  was  delivered  of  an  Elephant,  and  that 
certainly  was  a  monstrous  Token.  Also  in  the  beginning  of 
the  Marsian  War  a  Bondwoman  brought  forth  a  Serpent.1 

1  We  know  how  prone  vulgar  ignorance  or  superstition  is  to  compare 
an  ordinary  monstrous  birth  to  some  fancied  animal.  Such  is  within  the 
knowledge  of  living  observers.  But  what  shall  we  say  to  the  following? 
"  Lemnius  tells  us  of  a  monster,  that  a  certain  woman  was  delivered  of, 
and  to  whom  he  himself  was  physician  and  present  at  the  sight,  which  at 
the  appearing  of  the  day  filled  all  the  chamber  with  roaring  and  crying, 
running  all  about  to  find  some  hole  to  creep  into  ;  but  the  women  at  the 
length  stifled  and  smothered  it  with  pillows." —  Wanleys  Wonders  of  the 
Little  World.  And  from  the  same  authority : — "  Johannes  Naborowsky, 
a  noble  Polonian,  and  my  great  friend,  (says  Barth  olini,  "  Hist.  Anat.") 
told  me  at  Basil,  that  he  had  seen  in  his  country  two  little  fishes  without 
scales,  which  were  brought  forth  by  a  woman,  and  as  soon  as  they  came 
out  of  her  womb  did  swim  in  the  water  as  other  fish."  The  story  given 
by  Wormius,  concerning  the  birth  of  an  egg  from  a  woman  (and  of  which 
he  gives  a  figure  in  his  "  Museum  Wormianum,")  is  illustrated,  and  per- 
haps explained,  as  may  all  the  others  on  the  same  principle,  by  another 
given  in  Wanley's  book,  of  a  woman  "  of  good  quality,  who  had  made 
great  preparations  for  her  lying-in,  but  in  the  last  month  her  distension 
subsided,  and  it  is  confessed  that  she  plumped  herself  up  with  a  stuffing  of 
garments.  However,  the  time  must  come  at  last,  and  she  was  delivered 
of  a  creature,  very  like  unto  a  dormouse  of  the  greater  size,  which  to  the 
amazement  of  the  women  who  were  present,  with  marvellous  celerity 
sought  out  and  found  a  hole  in  the  chamber,  into  which  it  crept  and  was 
never  seen  after."  Instances  somewhat  similar  have  occurred  in  very 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  189 

Many  misshapen  Creatures  of  various  kinds  are  produced  as 
Monsters  in  the  World.  Claudius  Ccesar  writeth,  that  in  Thes- 
saly  an  Hippocentaur  was  born,  and  that  it  died  on  the  very 
same  Day.  And  when  he  was  Sovereign  we  ourselves  saw  the 
like  sent  to  him  out  of  Egypt,  preserved  in  Honey.  Among 
the  Instances  there  is  one  of  a  Child  in  Saguntum,  in  the  Year 
in  which  that  Town  was  destroyed  by  Annibal,  which,  as  soon 
as  it  was  born,  presently  returned  again  into  the  Womb. 

CHAPTER  IV. 
Of  the  Change  of  the  Sex  ;T  and  of  Double  Births. 

IT  is  no  fable,  that  Females  may  be  turned  to  Males ; 
for  we  have  found  it  recorded  in  the  Annals,  that  in  the  Year 
when  Pub.  Licinius  Crassus  and  C.  Cassius  Longinus  were 
Consuls,  there  was  at  Cassinum  a  Maid  who,  under  her 
Parents,  became  a  Boy :  and  by  the  order  of  the  Aruspices 
he  was  conveyed  to  a  Desert  Island.  Lucinius  Mutianus  re- 
porteth,  that  himself  saw  at  Argos  a  Person  named  Arescon, 
who  had  borne  the  Name  of  Arescusa,  and  even  had  been 
Married  :  but  afterwards  came  to  have  a  Beard,  and  the 
general  Properties  of  a  Man,  and  thereupon  married  a  Wife. 
After  the  same  sort  he  saw  at  Smyrna  a  Boy  changed.  I 
myself  was  an  Eye-witness,  that  in  Africa  L.  Cossicius,  a 

recent  times,  to  the  great  disappointment  of  expecting  friends  :  and  the 
laugh  could  only  have  been  rendered  the  louder  if,  instead  of  a  simple  dis- 
appointment, an  egg  or  dormouse,  an  elephant  or  serpent  had  been  the 
result.  By  law,  "  Ut  monstrosos  partus  necare  parentibus  liceret,"—  that 
"  it  should  be  lawful  to  parents  to  put  to  death  children  that  were  born 
monstrous;"  but  Dionysius  Halicarnasseus  adds,  that  it  was  necessary 
they  should  call  witnesses  to  prove  that  they  were  monstrous :  although 
the  latter  stipulation  can  scarcely  be  reconciled  with  another  law,  which 
gave  to  parents  the  right  of  life  and  death  over  their  children.  Accord- 
ing to  the  law  of  Tullus  Hostilius,  third  king  of  Rome,  when  three  chil- 
dren were  born  at  one  birth,  they  were  to  be  brought  up  to  the  age  of 
maturity  at  the  public  charge. —  Wern.  Club. 

1  Instances  similar  to  these  are  scarcely  uncommon,  and  the  causes 
are  well  known  to  anatomists.  The  remarks  concerning  the  fate  of  twins 
are  so  contrary  to  experience,  that  Pliny's  error  can  scarcely  be  accounted 
for.— Wern.  Club. 


190  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VII. 

Citizen  of  Tisdrita,  was  turned  from  a  Woman  to  a  Man 
upon  the  very  Marriage-day.  If  a  Woman  bring  Twins,  it 
is  rare  for  them  all  to  live,  but  either  the  Mother  dieth,  or 
one  of  the  Babes,  if  not  both.  But  if  the  Twins  be  of  both 
Sexes,  it  is  rare  for  both  of  them  to  escape.  Women  grow 
old  sooner  than  Men ;  arid  they  grow  to  their  Maturity  more 
speedily  than  Men.  It  is  certain  that  a  Male  Child  stirreth 
oftener  in  the  Womb,  and  lieth  commonly  more  to  the  right 
Side ;  whereas  Females  incline  to  the  left.1 

CAP.  V. 

De  Hominis  Generando,  et  Pariendi  Tempore  per  illustria 
Exempla  a  Mensibus  septem  ad  undecim? 

C.ETERIS  animantibus  statum,  et  pariendi,  et  partus 
gerendi  tempus  est ;  homo  toto  anno,  et  incerto  gignitur 
spatio.  Alius  septimo  mense,  alius  octavo,  et  usque  ad  iuitia 
decimi  undecimique.  Ante  septimum  mensem  haud  unquam 
vitalis  est.  Septimo  non  nisi  pridie  posterove  plenilunii  die, 
aut  interlunio  concepti  nascuntur.  Translatitium  in  ^Egypto 
est  et  octavo  gigni.  Jam  quidem  et  in  Italia  tales  partus 
esse  vitales,  contra  priscorum  opiniones.  Variant  hsec  plu- 
ribus  modis.  Vestilia  C.  Herditii  ac  postea  Pomponii  atque 
Orfiti,  clarissimorum  civium,  conjunx,  ex  his  quatuor  partus 
enixa,  Sempronium  septimo  mensi  genuit,  Suillium  Rufum 
undecimo,  Corbulonem  septimo,  utrunque  Consulem  :  postea 
Cffisoniam  Caii3  principis  conjugem,  octavo.  In  quo  men- 
sium  numero  genitis,  intra  quadragesimum  diem  maximus 

1  No  signs  are  known  by  which  the  sex  of  the  child  before  birth  is  in 
the  least  indicated.—  Wern  Club. 

*  The  term  of  pregnancy  natural  to  the  human  female  is  280  days ; 
by  the  Prussian  laws,  300  days ;  by  the  French,  301  days  are  considered 
to  mark  the  extreme  limit.  From  physiological  reasons  it  is  extremely 
improbable  if  the  usual  term  of  nine  calendar,  or  ten  lunar  months,  is 
ever  exceeded  by  more  than  one  lunar  month. — Wern.  Club. 

J  The  emperor  so  named  is  better  known  by  the  name  of  Caligula, 
which  was  imposed  upon  him  on  account  of  the  military  shoe  which, 
when  a  child,  he  wore  in  the  camp.  The  wife's  father  here  spoken  of 
was  the  Emperor  Augustus. —  Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  191 

labor.  Gravidis  autem  quarto  et  octavo  mense,  letalesque  in 
iis  abortus.  Massurius  auctor  est,  L.  Papyrium  Praetorem, 
secundo  hserede  lege  agente,  bonorum  possessionem  coutra 
eum  dedisse,  cum  mater  partum  se  13  mensibus  diceret 
tulisse,  quoniam  nullum  certum  tempus  pariendi  statutum 
videretur.1 

CAP.  VI. 

De  Conceptibus,  et  Signa  Sexus  in  gravidis  pravenientia 
Partum. 

A  CONCEPTU  decimo  die,  doloris  capitis,  oculorum  verti- 
ginis  tenebraeque,  fastidium  in  cibis,  redundatio  stomachi, 
indices  sunt  hominis  inchoati.  Melior  color  raarem  ferenti, 
et  facilior  partus :  motus  in  utero  quadragesimo  die.  Con- 
traria  omnia  in  altero  sexu  :  ingestabile  onus,  crurum  et 
inguinum  levis  tumor.  Primus  autem  nonagesimo  die 
motus.  Sed  plurimum  languoris  in  utroque  sexu,  capil- 
lum  germinante  partu,  et  in  plenilunio ;  quod  tempus  editos 
quoque  infantes  praecipue  infestat.  Adeoque  incessus,  atque 
omne,  quicquid  dici  potest,  in  gravida  refert :  ut  salsioribus 
cibis  usae,  carentem  unguiculis  partum  edant,  et,  si  respi- 
ravere,  difficilius  enitantur.  Oscitatio  quidem  in  enixu  letalis 
est :  sicut  sternuisse  a  co'itu  abortivum. 

CAP.  VII. 
De  Conceptu  Hominwn  et  Generatione. 

MISERET  atque  etiam  pudet  aestimantem  quam  sit  frivola 
animalium  superbissimi  origo,  cum  plerunque  abortus  causa 
fiat  odor  a  lucernarum  extinctu.  His  principiis  nascuntur 
tyranni,  his  carnifex  animus.  Tu  qui  corporis  viribus  fidis, 

1  According  to  the  Eoman  law :  "  Sei  qua  molier  post  virei  mortem 
in  decem  proximeis  mensebos  pariat,  quei,  quave  ex  ea  nascatur,  sonus, 
suave,  in  verei  familia  heres  estod :"  —  "If  a  woman  is  delivered  of  a 
child  ten  months  after  the  death  of  her  husband,  let  the  child  born,  either 
boy  or  girl,  be  heir  to  his  father."  Ulpian's  opinion  is,  that  a  child  born 
eleven  months  after  the  death  of  his  father  is  not  able  to  inherit.  The 
Emperor  Adrian  allowed  a  legitimate  birth  in  the  eleventh  month ;  but 
this  is  explained  by  saying,  that  the  eleventh  month  may  be  begun,  but 
not  ended.—  Wern.  Club. 


192  History  of  Nature.  [Booic  VII. 

tu  qui  fortunae  raunera  amplexaris,  et  te  ne  alumnum  qui- 
dem  ejus  existiajas,  sed  partum  :  tu  cujus  semper  in  victoria 
est  mens,  tu  qui  te  Deum  credis,  aliquo  successu  tumens, 
tanti  perire  potuisti :  atque  etiam  hodie  minoris  potes,  quan- 
tulo  serpentis  ictus  dente :  aut  etiam,  ut  Anacreon  Poeta, 
acino  uvae  passae :  ut  Fabius  Senator  Praetor,  in  lactis  haustu 
uno  pilo  strangulatus.  Is  deuium  profecto  vitam  aequa  lance 
pensitabat,  qui  semper  fragilitatis  hu manse  mernor  fuerit. 

CAP.  VIII. 
De  Agrippls. 

IN  pedes  procedere  nascentem  contra  naturam  est ;  quo 
argumento  eos  appellavere  agrippas,  ut  aegre  partos :  qua- 
liter  M.  Agrippam  ferunt  genitum  unico  prope  felicitatis 
exemplo  in  omnibus  ad  hunc  modum  genitis.  Quanquam  is 
quoque  adversa  pedum  valetudine,  misera  juventa,  exercito 
aevo  inter  arma  mortesque,  ad  noxia  successu,  infelici  terris 
stirpi  omni,  sed  per  utrasque  Agrippinas  maxime,  quae  Caium 
et  Domitium  jNeronem  Principes  genuere,  totidem  faces 
generis  human! :  praeterea  brevitate  aevi  quinquagesimo  uno 
raptus  anno,  in  tormentis  adulteriorum  conjugis,  socerique 
praegravi  servitio,  luisse  augurium  praeposteri  natalis  existi- 
matur.  Neronem,  quoque  paulo  ante  Principem,  et  toto  Prin- 
cipatu  suo  hostem  generis  humani,  pedibus  genituin  parens 
ejus  scribit  Agrippina.  Ritu  naturae  capite  hominem  gigni 
mos  est,  pedibus  efferri. 

CAP.  IX. 
Monstruosi  Partus  excisi  Utero. 

AUSPICATIUS  enecta  parente  gignuntur,  sicut  Scipio  Afri- 
canus  prior  natus,  primusque  Caesarum  a  caeso  matris  utero 
dictus:  qua  de  causa  et  Caesones  appellati.1  Simili  modo 
natus  et  Manlius,  qui  Carthaginem  cum  exercitu  intravit. 

1  The  Caesarian  operation,  as  it  is  now  called,  has  been  an  unsuccessful 
one  in  modern  times ;  but  this  arises  from  the  fact  that  it  is  now  performed 
on  the  living  mother  to  preserve  her  life,  perhaps  at  the  risk  of  that  of 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  193 

CAP.  X. 

Qui  sint  Vopisci. 

VOPISOOS  appellabant  e  geminis,  qui  retenti  utero  nasce- 
rentur,  altero  interempto  abortu.  Namque  maxima  et  rara 
circa  hoc  miracula  existunt. 

CAP.  XI. 
Exempla  Numerosce  Sobolis. 

PRATER  mulierem  pauca  animalia  coiturn  novere  gra- 
vida.  Unum  quidem  omnino,  aut  alterum,  superfoetat.1 
Extat  in  monurnentis  etiam  medicorum,  et  quibus  talia  con- 
sectari  curse  fuit,  uno  abortu  duodecim  puerperia  egesta. 
Sed  ubi  paululum  temporis  inter  duos  conceptus  intercessit, 
uterque  perfertur :  ut  in  Hercule  et  Iphiclo  fratre  ejus  apparuit, 
et  in  ea  quee  gemino  partu,  altero  marito  similem,  alterum 
adultero  genuit ;  Item  in  Proconnesia  ancilla,  quse  ejusdem 
diei  coitu,  alterum  domino  similem,  alterum  procurator! 
ejus;  et  in  alia,  quse  unum  justo  partu  quinque  mensium 
alterum  edidit.  Rursus  in  alia,  quse  septem  mensium  edito 
puerperio,  insecutis  mensibus  geminos  enixa  est.  Jam  ilia 
vulgata,  varie  ex  integris  truncos  gigni,  ex  truncis  integros, 
eademque  parte  truncos:  signa  qusedam,  naevosque  et  cica- 
trices etiam  regenerari.  Quarto  partus  Dacorum  originis  Nota 
in  brachio  redditur. 

CHAPTER  XII. 
Examples  of  those  who  have  closely  resembled  one  another.* 

IN  the  Race  of  the  Lepidi  it  is  said  there  were  three,  not 
successively  one  after  another,  who  had  when  they  were 

the  child ;  whereas  it  appears  that  anciently  it  was  had  recourse  to  only 
after  the  mother  had  expired,  to  save  the  child  which  still  gave  signs  of 
life.  Cornelius  Gamma  says,  that  he  performed  it  six  times  on  as  many 
women,  and  that  the  children  were  preserved ;  but  he  says  nothing  of  the 
fate  of  the  mothers. —  Wern.  Club. 

1  Superfoetation  is  an  exceedingly  rare  occurrence  in  women;  but  some 
modern  instances  place  the  certainty  of  this  fact  on  certain  grounds. — 
Wern.  Club. 

*  This  chapter  is  borrowed  from  Aristotle's  "  History  of  Animals," 
b.  xvii.  c.  6.— Wern.  CM. 

VOL.  IT.  O 


1 94  History  of  Nature.  [  BOOK  VII. 

Born,  a  Membrane  growing  over  the  Eye.  Some  have 
resembled  their  Grandfathers :  and  of  Twins,  one  hath  been 
like  the  Father,  the  other  the  Mother:  but  he  that  was 
Born  a  year  after  hath  been  so  like  his  elder  Brother  as  if  he 
had  been  one  of  the  Twins.  Some  Women  bring  all  their 
Children  like  themselves ;  others  again  resembling  their 
Husbands,  and  some  like  neither  the  one  nor  the  other. 
Some  Women  bring  all  their  Daughters  like  their  Fathers, 
and  their  Sons  like  the  Mothers.  The  Example  is  undoubted, 
of  Nicceus,  a  famous  Painter  of  Byzantium,  who  having  to 
his  Mother  a  Woman  begotten  in  Adultery  by  an  Ethiopian, 
and  nothing  different  in  Colour  from  other  Women,  was 
himself  begotten  an  Ethiopian.  Indeed,  the  Consideration 
of  the  Likenesses  is  in  the  Mind ;  in  which  likewise  many 
other  Accidents  are  thought  to  be  very  strong,  whether  they 
come  by  Sight,  Hearing,  and  Memory,  or  Imaginations 
drunk  in  in  the  very  instant  of  Conception.1  The  thought  of 
either  Father  or  Mother  flying  to  and  fro  transporting  the 
Soul  in  a  moment,  is  supposed  to  stamp  this  Likeness,  or  to 
mix  it.  On  this  account  it  is  that  Men  are  more  unlike  one 
another  than  other  Creatures :  for  the  Quickness  of  the 
Thoughts,  the  Agility  of  the  Mind,  the  very  great  variety 
of  our  Dispositions,  imprint  the  great  Multiplicity  of  Marks  ; 
whereas  the  Minds  of  other  Creatures  is  immovable,  being 
alike  in  all,  and  in  every  one  according  to  its  own  Kind. 
Artenon,  a  Man  of  the  common  Rank,  was  so  like  in  all 
points  to  Antiochus  King  of  Syria,  that  Laodict;  the  Queen, 
after  Antiochus  was  killed,  effected  the  Succession  of  the 
Kingdom  through  his  acting  the  part  of  Recommendation. 
Vibius,  a  certain  Commoner  of  Rome,  and  Publicius,  one 
from  a  Bondslave  made  a  Freeman,  were  both  of  them  so 
like  Pompey  the  Great,  that  the  one  could  scarcely  be 
discerned  from  the  other :  so  closely  did  they  represent  that 
open  Countenance,  and  the  singular  Majesty  which  appeared 
in  his  Forehead.  The  like  cause  it  was  that  gave  his  Father 
also  the  Surname  of  Menogenes,  from  his  Cook  ;  although  he 

1  The  reader  will  scarcely  fail  to  remember  Jacob's  singular  stratagem 
with  Laban's  flock— Genesis,  xxx.  and  xxxi. — Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  195 

was  already  surnamed  Strabo,  because  of  his  Squint  Eyes  : 
imitating  a  defect  that  existed  in  his  Servant.  So  was  one 
of  the  Scipios  surnamed  Serapio  upon  such  an  occasion, 
after  the  name  of  one  Serapio,  who  was  a  base  Slave  of  his, 
and  the  dealer  in  buying  and  selling  his  Swine.  Another 
Scipio  after  him,  of  the  same  House,  was  surnamed  Salutio, 
because  of  a  certain  Jester  of  that  Name.  After  the  same 
manner  one  Spinfer,  a  Player  of  the  second  Place,1  and 
Pamphilus,  a  Player  of  the  third  Part,  resembled  Lentulus 
and  Metellus,  who  were  Consuls  together.  And  this  fell 
out  very  untowardly,  that  such  resemblances  of  the  two 
Consuls  should  be  seen  together  on  the  Stage.  On  the  other 
hand,  Rubrbis  the  Player  was  surnamed  Plancus,  because 
he  was  so  like  Plancus  the  Orator.  Again,  JBurbuleius  and 
Menogenes,  both  Players,  gave  name,  the  one  to  Curio  the 
Father,  as  did  the  other  to  Messala  Censorius.  There 
was  in  Sicily  a  Fisherman  who  resembled  Sura  the  Pro- 
consul, not  in  general  likeness  only,  but  also  in  the  grin 
when  he  spoke,  in  drawing  his  Tongue  short,  and  in  his 
thick  Speech.  Cassias  Severus,  the  famous  Orator,  was 
reproached  for  being  like  Mirmillo,  a  Keeper  of  Cattle. 
Toranius  sold  to  Marcus  Antonius,  at  that  time  Triumvir, 
two  very  beautiful  Boys  as  Twins,  so  like  they  were  one  to 
the  other :  although  one  was  born  in  Asia,  and  the  other 
beyond  the  Alps.  But  when  Antony  afterwards  came  to 
the  knowledge  of  the  fraud,  which  was  detected  by  the  Lan- 
guage of  the  Boys,  he  threatened  him  in  great  Anger : 
Among  other  things  complaining  of  the  high  Price  that  he 
had  made  him  pay,  for  they  cost  him  two  hundred  Sesterces. 
But  the  cunning  Merchant  answered,  That  this  was  the  very 
cause  why  he  had  sold  them  at  so  great  a  rate  :  for  it  would 
not  have  been  so  wonderful  if  two  Brothers  of  the  same 
Mother  had  resembled  one  another ;  but  that  there  should 
be  any  found,  who  were  born  in  different  Countries,  so  like 
in  all  respects,  was  above  every  thing  deserving  of  a  high 
Price.  This  answer  of  his  produced  a  well-timed  admiration, 

'  That  is,  he  who  supported  the  second  or  the  third  rate  of  characters 
on  the  ancient  stage. —  Wern.  Club. 


196  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VII. 

so  that  the  Proscriptor,  whose  mind  was  enraged  and  uttered 
reproaches,  was  not  only  appeased,  but  also  induced  to  be 
well  pleased  with  his  good  Fortune. 

CAP.  XIII. 
Quce  sit  Generandi  Ratio. 

EST  quaedam  privatim  dissociatio  corporum ;  et  inter  se 
steriles,  ubi  cum  aliis  junxere,  gignunt :  sicut  Augustus  et 
Livia.  Item  alii  aliaeque  foeminas  tantum  generant,  aut 
mares ;  plerunque  et  alternant :  sicut  Gracchorum  mater  duo- 
decies,  et  Agrippina  Germanici  novies.  Aliis  sterilis  est 
juventa,  aliis  semel  in  vita  datur  gignere.  Quaedam  non 
perferunt  partus :  quales,  si  quando  medicina  et  cura  vicere, 
fceminam  fere  gignunt.  Divus  Augustus  in  reliqua  exemplo- 
rum  raritate,  neptis  suae  nepotem  vidit  genitum  quo  excessit 
anno,  M.  Syllanum  ;  qui  cum  Asiam  obtineret  post  Consu- 
latum,  Neronis  Principis  successione,  venerio  ejus  interemptus 
est.  Q.  Metellus  Macedonicus,  cum  sex  liberos  relinqueret, 
undecim  nepotes  reliquit,  minis  vero  generosque  et  omnes 
qui  se  patris  appellatione  salntarent,  viginti  septem.  In  Actis 
temporum  Divi  Augusti  invenitur,  XII.  Consulatu  ejus  L. 
qnae  Sylla  Collega,  ad  III.  Idus  Aprilis,  C.  Crispinum  Hila- 
rum  ex  ingenua  plebe  Fesulana,  cum  liberis  novem  (in  quo 
numero  filise  duae  fuerunt)  nepotibus  XXVII.,  pronepotibus 
XXIX.,  neptibus  IX.,  praelata  pompa,  cum  omnibus  in 
Capitolio  immolasse.1 

1  These  instances  are  more  than  equalled  by  some  which  are  men- 
tioned in  the  preface  to  "  Hearne's  Edition  of  Leland,"  vol.  vi.  p.  4. 
Mary,  wife  of  Richard  Honiwood,  of  Charinge,  in  Kent,  died  at  the  age 
of  ninety-eight,  in  the  year  1620,  leaving  by  one  husband  sixteen  children, 
114  grand-children,  228  great-grand-children,  and  nine  in  the  fourth  de- 
gree :  in  all  367  persons.  Thomas  Urqhart,  laird  and  sheriff  of  Cromarty, 
had  by  one  wife  twenty-five  sons  and  eleven  daughters :  all  of  whom  he 
lived  to  see  of  considerable  eminence  in  the  world.  "In  Dunstable 
church,"  says  Hakewell  (Apol.)  "  is  an  epitaph  on  a  woman,  testifying 
that  she  bore  three  children  at  a  birth  three  several  times,  and  five  at  a 
birth  two  other  times."  In  the  year  1553  the  wife  of  John  Gissger,  an 
Italian,  had  twins,  and  before  the  year  was  out  she  produced  five  children, 
three  sons  and  two  daughters.  Thomas  Fazel  writes  that  "  Jane  Pancica, 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  197 

CAP.  XIV. 
De  eodem  multiplicius. 

MULIER  post  quinquagesimum  annum  non  gignit,  rnajor- 
que  pars  quadragesimo  profluvium  genitale  sistit.  Nam  in 
viris  Massinissam  Regem,  post  LXXXVI.  annum  generasse 
filium,  quern  Methymnatum  appellaverit,  clarum  est:  Cato- 
nem  Censorium  octogesimo  exacto,  a  filia  Salonii  clientis  sui. 
Qua  de  causa,  aliorum  ejus  liberorum  propago,  Liciniani 
sunt  cognominati,  hi  Saloniani,  ex  quibus  Uticensis  fuit. 
Nuper  etiam  L.  Volusio  Saturnine  in  urbis  praefectura  ex- 
tincto,  notum  est  Corneliae  Scipionum  gentis  Volusium  Sa- 
turninum,  qui  fuit  Consul,  genitum  post  LXII.  annum. 
Et  usque  ad  LXXXV.  apud  ignobiles  vulgaris  reperitur 
generatio. 

CAP.  XV. 
De  Menstruis  Mulierum. 

SOLUM  autem  animal  menstruale  mulier  est :  inde  unius 
utero,  quas  appellarunt  molas.  Ea  est  caro  informis, 
inanima,  ferri  ictum  et  aciem  respuens.  Movetur,  sistitque 
menses;  ut  et  partus,  alias  lethalis,  alias  una  senescens, 
aliquando  alvo  citatiore  excidens.  Simile  quiddam  et  viris 
in  ventre  gignitur,  quod  vocant  scirron  :  sic  ut  Oppio  Capi- 
toni  prsetorio  viro.  Sed  nihil  facile  reperiatur  mulierum 
profluvio  magis  monstrificum.  Acescunt  superventu  inusta, 
sterilescunt  tactae  fruges,  moriuntur  insita,  exuruntur  horto- 
rum  germina,  et  fructus  arboriun,  quibus  insidere,  decidunt ; 
speculorum  fulgor  aspectu  ipso  hebetatur,  acies  ferri  prae- 
stringitur,  eborisque  nitor ;  alvei  apum  emoriuntur ;  333 
etiam  ac  ferrum  rubigo  protinus  corripit,  odorque  dirus 
aera  ;  et  in  rabiem  aguntur  gustato  eo  canes,  atque  insanabili 
veneno  morsus  inficitur.  Quin  et  bituminum  sequax  alio- 

wife  of  Bernard,  a  Sicilian,  in  thirty  births  produced  seventy-three 
children."  The  latter  instances  are  from  Wanley's  "  Wonders  of  the 
Little  World,"  where  his  authorities  are  given.—  Wern.  Club. 


198  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VII. 

quin  ac  lenta  Natura,  in  Lacu  Judaeae  (qui  vocatur  Asphal- 
tites),  certo  tempore  anni  supernatans,  nequit  sibi  avelli,  ad 
omnein  contactum  adhaerens,  praeterquatn  filo  quod  tale 
virus  infecerit.  Etiam  formicis  animali  minitno,  inesse  sen- 
sum  ejus  ferunt;  abjicique  gustatas  fruges,  nee  postea  repeti. 
Et  hoc  tale  tantumque  omnibus  tricenis  diebus  malum  in 
muliere  exsistit,  et  trimestri  spatio  largius.  Quibusdam  vero 
saepius  mense ;  sicut  aliquibus  nunquam  ;  sed  tales  non  gig- 
nunt,  quando  haec  est  generando  homini  uiateria  semine  e 
maribus  coaguli  modo  hoc  in  sese  glomerante,  quod  deinde 
tempore  ipso  animatur,  corporaturque.  Ergo  cum  gravidis 
fluxit,  invalidi  aut  non  vitales  partus  eduntur,  aut  saniosi,  ut 
autor  est  Negidius.1 

CAP.  XVI. 
Item  de  Ratione  Partuum. 

IDEM,  lac  fbeminae  non  corrumpi  alenti  partum  si  ex 
eodein  viro  rursus  conceperit,  arbitratur.  Incipiente  autem 
hoc  statu,  aut  desinente,  couceptus  facillimi  traduntur. 
Faecunditatis  in  foeminis  praerogativain  accepiraus,  inunctis 
medicamine  oculis,  salivam  infici.  Caeterum  editis  primores 
septimo  mense  gigni  denies  prinsque  in  supera  fere  parte,haud 
dubium  est.  Septimo  eosdem  decidere  anno,  aliosque  suffici. 
Quosdam  et  cum  dentibus  nasci,2  sicut  M.  Curium,  quod  ob 
id  Dentatus  cognominatus  est,  et  Cn.  Papyrium  Carbonem, 
praeclaros  viros.  In  Women  the  same  thing  was  counted 
inauspicious  in  the  times  of  the  Kings,  for  when  Valeria 
was  born  toothed  in  this  manner,  the  Augurs  (Aruspices) 
being  consulted  about  it,  answered  by  way  of  Prophecy, 
that  she  would  be  the  ruin  of  that  City  to  which  she  might 
be  conveyed ;  whereupon  she  was  conveyed  to  Suessa  Pometia, 

1  Much  that  is  here  stated  is  erroneous,  and  mere  fable  ;  the  recondite 
subject  of  generation  abounding  in  the  marvellous. —  Wern.  Club. 

2  However  this  might  have  been  regarded  in  ancient  times,  on  a  super- 
stitious account,  it  is  not  an  uncommon  circumstance.      The  editor  is 
acquainted  with  the  fact,  that  in  an  instance  of  three  children  being  born 
at  one  birth,  all  of  them  were  furnished  with  teeth. —  Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  199 

which  at  that  time  was  very  flourishing:  and  the  ruin  of  the 
place  certainly  followed.  Cornelia,  the  Mother  of  the  Grac- 
chi, is  suflficient  proof  that  it  is  an  adverse  omen,  when 
Women  are  born  with  the  Genital  Parts  grown  together. 
Some  Children  are  born  with  a  continued  edge  of  Bone 
instead  of  a  row  of  distinct  Teeth  ;x  as  a  Son  of  Prusius  King 
of  the  Bythinians,  who  had  such  a  Bone  in  his  Upper  Jaw. 
But  Teeth  are  the  only  parts  that  are  not  subdued  by  the 
Fires ;  so  that  they  are  not  consumed  with  the  rest  of  the 
Body;  but  the  same  parts  that  are  not  conquered  by  the 
Flames  are  hollowed  out  and  wasted  by  a  Waterish  Rheum. 
They  may  be  made  White  by  some  Medicines.  They  are 
worn  away  by  use ;  and  sometimes  they  fall  first  out  of  the 
Head  ;  they  serve  not  only  to  grind  our  Meat  for  our  Nourish- 
ment, but  they  are  necessary  for  the  framing  of  our  Speech. 
The  Fore-teeth  hold  the  Government  over  our  Voice  and 
Words  by  a  peculiar  accord,  answering  to  the  Stroke  of  the 
Tongue,  and  the  series  of  their  Formation,  with  their  Size, 
cutting  up,  softening,  or  restraining  the  Words ;  but  when 
they  are  fallen  out  all  explanation  of  Words  is  lost. 
Moreover,  it  may  be  believed,  that  some  Augury  can  be 
gathered  from  the  Teeth.  Men  are  in  possession  of  two-and- 
thirty  in  all,  except  the  Nation  of  the  Turduli ;  and  those 
who  have  above  this  Number  suppose  that  they  may  calcu- 
late on  longer  Life.  Women  have  not  so  many :  they  that 
have  on  the  right  Side  in  the  upper  Jaw  two  Eye-teeth, 
named  Canine,  may  promise  themselves  the  Favours  of  For- 
tune ;  as  was  the  case  in  Agrippinu,  the  Mother  of  Domitius 
Aero :  but  it  is  the  contrary  in  the  Left  Side.  It  is  not  the  Cus- 
tom in  any  Country  to  burn  in  a  Funeral  Fire  the  dead  Body 
of  an  Infant  before  the  Teeth  are  come  up :  but  of  this  we  will 
write  more,  when  our  History  will  take  in  the  individual 
Members.  Zoroastres  was  the  only  Man  we  have  heard  of, 
who  laughed  the  same  day  he  was  born  :  his  Brain  did  so 
evidently  pulsate,  that  it  would  lift  up  the  Hand  that  was 
laid  on  it:  a  Presage  of  his  future  Learning.  It  is  certain 

1  This  was  also  the  case  with  King  Pyrrhus.    See  note,  lib.  vii.  2.— 
Wern.  Club. 


200  History  of  Nature.  [BoOK  VII. 

that  a  Man  at  three  years  of  Age  is  come  to  one-half  of  the 
Measure  of  his  Height.  This  also  is  observed  for  a  Truth,  that 
generally  all  Men  fall  short  of  the  full  Stature  in  Times  past ; 
and  seldom  are  they  taller  than  their  Fathers :  the  Exube- 
rance of  the  Seeds  being  consumed  by  the  burning,  in  the 
Changes  of  which  the  World  now  vergeth  toward  the  latter 
End.  In  Crete,  a  Mountain  being  cloven  asunder  by  an 
Earthquake,  a  Body  was  found  standing,  forty-six  Cubits 
high  ;  which  some  judged  to  be  the  Body  of  Orion,  and 
others,  of  Otus.  It  is  believed  from  Records  that  the  Body 
of  Orestes,  when  taken  up  by  direction  of  the  Oracle,  was 
seven  Cubits  long.1  And  that  great  Poet,  Homer,  who  lived 
almost  a  thousand  Years  ago,  did  not  cease  to  complain  that 
Men's  Bodies  were  less  of  Stature  even  then,  than  in  old 
Time.  The  Annals  do  not  deliver  down  the  Bulk  of  N&mus 
Pollio;  but  that  he  was  of  great  size  appeareth  by  this,  that 
it  was  taken  for  a  Wonder,  that  in  a  great  Crowd  of  People 
running  together  he  was  almost  killed.  The  tallest  Man 
that  hath  been  seen  in  our  Age  was  one  named  Gabbara, 
who  in  the  Days  of  Prince  Claudius  was  brought  out  of 
Arabia;  he  was  nine  Feet  high,  and  as  many  Inches.  There 
were  in  the  Time  of  Divus  Augustus  two  others,  named 
Pmio  and  Secundilla,  higher  than  Gabbara  by  half  a  Foot, 
whose  Bodies  were  preserved  for  a  Wonder  in  a  Vault  in  the 
Gardens  of  the  Salustiani.  While  the  same  (Augustus)  was 
President,  his  Niece  Julia  had  a  very  little  Man,  two  Feet 
and  a  Hand-breadth  high,  called  Canopas,  whom  she  mnde 
much  of;  and  also  a  Woman  named  Andromeda,2  the  Freed 
Woman  of  Julia  Augusta.  M.  Varro  reporteth  that  Manius 
Maximus,  and  M.  Tullius,  Roman  Knights,  were  but  two 
Cubits  high  :  and  we  ourselves  have  seen  their  Bodies  em- 
balmed in  Presses.  It  is  well  known  that  there  are  some 

1  Ten  feet  and  an  half. 

a  The  instance  of  the  American  who  exhibited  himself  through  Eu- 
rope is  of  recent  occurrence.  John  Duck,  an  Englishman,  was  carried 
about  forashow  in  1610,  being  two  feet  and  ahalf  high  at  forty-five  years 
of  age.  Cardan  says  he  saw  a  man  in  Italy,  of  full  age,  not  above  a  cubit 
high.  He  was  carried  about  in  a  parrot- cage. — Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  201 

born  a  Foot  and  a  half  high  ;  others  again  somewhat  longer  : 
filling  up  the  Course  of  their  Life  in  three  Years.  We  find 
in  the  Chronicles,  that  in  Salamis  the  Son  of  Euthimenes1  in 
three  Years  grew  to  be  three  Cubits  high  ;  but  he  was  in 
his  Pace  slow  and  in  his  Understanding  dull ;  but  having 
attained  the  State  of  Puberty,  and  his  Voice  having  become 
strong,  at  Three  Years'  end  he  died  suddenly  of  a  Contraction 
of  all  the  Parts  of  his  Body.  Some  while  since  I  saw  myself 
the  like  in  almost  all  respects,  except  the  Puberty,  in  a  Son 
of  Cornelius  Tacitus,  a  Roman  Knight,  and  a  Procurator  for 
the  State  in  Belgic  Gaul.  Such  the  Greeks  call  Ectrapelos ; 
in  Latin  they  have  no  Name. 

CHAPTER  XVII. 
Observations  of  Bodies. 

WE  see  that  the  Length  of  a  Man  from  the  Sole  of  the 
Foot  to  the  Crown  of  the  Head  is  equal  to  the  Extent  of  his 
longest  Fingers  when  his  Arms  and  Hands  are  stretched  out. 
As  also,  that  most  People  are  stronger  on  the  right  Side ; 
others  are  as  strong  on  one  Side  as  on  the  other  :  and  there  are 
some  that  are  altogether  Left-handed;  but  that  is  never  seen 
in  Women.  Men  weigh  heavier  than  Women  :  and  in  every 
kind  of  Creature,  the  bodies,  when  dead,  are  more  heavy  than 
when  alive ;  and  the  same  Parties  sleeping  weigh  more  than 
when  awake.  The  dead  Bodies  of  Men  float  with  the  Face 

1  In  the  year  1747,  Mr.  Dawkes,  a  surgeon  at  St.  Ives,  near  Hun- 
tingdon, published  a  small  tract  called  "  Prodigium  Willinghamense,"  or 
an  account  of  a  surprising  boy,  who  was  buried  at  Willingham,  near 
Cambridge,  upon  whom  he  wrote  the  following  epitaph  :  —  "  Stop,  tra- 
veller, and  wondering  know,  here  buried  lie  the  remains  of  Thomas,  son 
of  Thomas  and  Margaret  Hall,  who,  not  one  year  old,  had  the  signs  of 
manhood ;  not  three,  was  almost  four  feet  high ;  endued  with  uncommon 
strength,  a  just  proportion  of  parts,  and  a  stupendous  voice;  before  six  he 
died,  as  it  were,  of  advanced  age.  He  was  born  at  this  village,  October  31 , 
1741,  and  the  same  departed  this  life,  September  3,  1747."  (See  also 
"Philosophical  Transactions,"  1744-45.)  As  Dr.  Elliotson  has  observed 
(Blumenbach's  "  Physiology  "),  this  perfectly  authentic  case  removes  all 
doubts  respecting  the  boy  at  Salamis  mentioned  by  Pliny.  —  Wern.  Club. 


202  History  of  Nature.  [  BOOK  VII. 

upward,  and  Women  with  the  Face  downward,  as  if  Nature 
had  provided  to  save  their  Modesty  even  when  dead. 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 
Examples  of  a  Variety  of  Forms. 

WE  have  heard  that  some  Men's  Bones  are  solid,  and  so 
live  without  any  Marrow.  They  are  known  by  the  Signs,  that 
they  never  feel  Thirst,  nor  put  forth  any  Sweat :  and  yet  we 
know  that  a  Man  may  conquer  his  Thirst  by  his  Will;  and 
Julius  Viator,  a  Roman  Knight,  descended  from  the  Race  of 
the  Confederate  Voconti,  in  his  younger  Years  being  ill  with 
an  Effusion  of  Water  beneath  the  Skin,  and  forbidden  by 
the  Physicians  to  use  Fluids  in  any  way,  obtained  a  Nature 
by  Custom,  so  that  in  his  old  Age  he  forbore  to  drink. 
Others  also  have  been  able  to  command  their  Nature  in 
many  Cases. 

CHAPTER  XIX. 
Examples  of  Diversity  of  Habits. 

IT  is  said,  that  Crassus,  Grandfather  to  that  Crassus  who 
was  slain  in  Parthia,  never  laughed,  and  on  that  account 
was  called  Agelastus:  and  also  that,  many  have  been  found 
to  have  never  wept.  Socrates,  who  was  illustrious  for  his 
Wisdom,  was  seen  always  to  carry  the  same  Countenance, 
never  being  more  cheerful  nor  more  disturbed  at  one  Time 
than  another.  But  this  tendency  of  the  Mind  turneth  now 
and  then  in  the  End  into  a  certain  Rigour  and  Sternness 
of  Nature,  so  hard  and  inflexible  that  it  cannot  be  ruled ; 
and  so  despoileth  Men  of  the  humane  Affections;  and  such 
are  called  by  the  Greeks  Apathes.  who  had  the  Experience 
of  many  such  :  and,  what  is  surprising,  some  of  them  were 
very  eminent  for  Wisdom,  as  Dioyenes  the  Cynic,  Pyrrho, 
Heraclitus,  and  Timo ;  the  latter  being  carried  away  so  far 
as  to  hate  the  whole  Human  Race.  But  these  were  Ex- 
amples of  depraved  Nature.  Various  remarkable  Things  are 
known  ;  as  in  Antonia,  the  Wife  of  Drusus,  who  was  never 


BOOK  VI I.]  History  of  Nature.  203 

seen  to  spit ;  and  Pomponius  the  Poet,  a  Consular  Man,  who 
never  belched.  Such  as  naturally  have  their  Bones  solid, 
who  are  seldom  met  with,  are  called  Cornel  (hard  as  Horn). 

CHAPTER  XX. 
Of  Strength  and  Swiftness.1 

VARRO,  in  his  Treatise  of  prodigious  Strength,  maketh 
Report  of  Tritanus,  who  was  little  in  Person,  but  of  incom- 
parable Strength,  much  renowned  in  the  Gladiatorial  Play, 
with  the  Armature  of  the  Samnites.  He  maketh  mention 
also  of  a  Son  of  his,  a  Soldier  under  Pompey  the  Great ;  and 
that  he  had  all  over  his  Body,  as  well  as  through  his  Arms 
and  Hands,  Sinews  running  straight  and  across  like  Net- 
work :  and  when  an  Enemy  challenged  him  to  a  Combat, 
he  overcame  him  with  his  right  Hand  unarmed,  and  in  the 
End  caught  hold  of  him,  and  brought  him  into  the  Camp 
with  one  Finger.  Junius  Valens,  a  Centurion  in  the  Praeto- 
rium  of  Divus  Augustus,  was  accustomed  to  bear  up  Waggons 
laden  with  Sacks,  until  they  were  discharged  :  with  one  Hand 
he  would  hold  back  a  Chariot,  standing  firm  against  all  the 
Force  of  the  Horses.  He  did  also  other  wonderful  Things, 
which  are  to  be  seen  engraved  on  his  Tomb :  and  therefore 
Varro  saith  that  being  called  Hercules  Rusticellus,  he  took 
up  his  Mule  and  carried  him  away.  Fusius  Salvius  carried 
up  over  the  Stairs  two  hundred  Pounds'  weight  on  his  Feet, 
as  many  in  his  Hands,  and  twice  as  much  upon  his  Shoul- 
ders. Myself  have  seen  a  Man  named  Athanatus,  with  a 
great  deal  of  Ostentation  walk  upon  the  Stage  clothed  in  a 

1  It  is  observable  that  in  this,  and  chap,  xxiii.,  Pliny's  instances  apply 
only  to  animal  endurance.  Martial  took  a  more  correct  view  of  the  mental 
property,  when  he  said : — 

"  Rebus  in  angustis  facile  est  contemnere  vitam : 
Fortiter  ille  facit,  qui  miser  esse  potest." — B.  xi.  Ep.  35. 

When  Fortune  frowns,  'tis  easy  life  to  hate ; 
But  real  courage  is  not  crush'd  by  fate. 

Wern.  Club. 


204  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VII. 

Cuirass  of  Lead  weighing  five  hundred  Pounds,  and  wearing 
high  Shoes  of  the  same  Weight.  When  Milu,  the  great 
Wrestler  of  Crotone,  stood  firm  upon  his  Feet,  no  Man  was 
able  to  make  him  stir  in  the  least  Degree :  if  he  held  an 
Apple,  no  Man  was  able  to  stretch  out  his  Finger.1  It  was  a 
great  matter,  that  Philippides  ran  1140  Stadia,  from  Athens 
to  Lacedaemon,  in  two  Days  ;  until  Anistis,  a  Runner  of 
Lacedeemon,  and  Pkilonides,  belonging  to  Alexander  the 
Great,  ran  from  Sicyone  to  Elis  in  one  Day,  1200  Stadia. 
But  now,  indeed,  we  know  some  in  the  Circus  able  to  endure 
the  running  of  160  Miles.  And  lately  when  Fonteius  and 
Vipsanus  were  Consuls,  a  young  Boy,  only  nine  Years  old, 
between  Noon  and  Evening  ran  75  Miles.  And  a  Man  may 
wonder  the  more  at  this  Matter,  if  he  consider,  that  it  was 
counted  an  exceeding  great  Journey  that  Tiberius  Nero  made 
in  three  Chariots  in  a  Day  and  a  Night,  when  he  hasted  to 
his  Brother  Drusus,  then  lying  sick  in  Germany,  which  was 
but  200  Miles.2 

1  Two  persons,  successively  porters  to  Kings  James  I.  and  Charles, 
his  son,  were  of  great  size  and  strength.  The  first,  particularly,  was  able 
to  take  two  of  the  tallest  yeomen  of  the  guard,  one  under  each  arm,  and 
he  ordered  them  as  he  pleased.  The  Emperor  Maximinus,  who  was  eight 
feet  and  a  half  in  height,  was  of  enormous  strength,  even  in  proportion  to 
his  magnitude.  —  Wern.  Club. 

*  We  have  less  examples  of  swiftness  of  foot,  since  more  rapid  convey- 
ance is  common.  Pliny's  instances  are  the  more  surprising,  as  they  imply 
continuance ;  but  the  English  King  Henry  V.  was  so  swift  of  foot,  that 
with  two  of  his  lords,  without  any  weapons,  he  would  catch  a  wild  buck 
in  a  large  park.  In  Baker's  "  Chronicle "  we  are  informed,  that  John 
Lepton,  of  Kepwick,  in  the  county  of  York,  one  of  the  grooms  of  the 
Privy  Chamber  to  James  I.,  for  a  wager  rode  for  six  days  successively 
between  York  and  London :  which  is  150  miles.  He  accomplished  the 
work  of  each  day,  beginning  May  20,  IGOTJ^before  it  was  dark  ;  and  hav- 
ing finished  his  wager  at  York  on  Saturday,  on  the  following  Monday  he 
rode  back  to  London,  and  on  Tuesday  to  the  court  at  Greenwich  :  being 
as  fresh  and  well  as  when  he  began.  In  the  year  1619,  July  17,  Bernard 
Calvert  rode  from  St.  George's  church,  in  Southwark,  to  Dover  :  thence 
by  barge  to  Calais,  and  from  thence  back  to  St.  George's  church,  on  the 
same  day ;  beginning  at  three  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  ending  at  eight 
in  the  evening,  fresh  and  lusty,  although  roads  were  then  less  perfect 
than  now.  —  Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  205 


CHAPTER  XXI. 
Examples  of  good  Eyesight. 

WE  find  in  Histories  almost  incredible  Examples  of 
Sharpness  of  the  Eyes.  Cicero  hath  recorded,  that  the  Poem 
of  Homer  called  the  Iliad,  written  on  Parchment,  was  en- 
closed within  a  Nutshell.  The  same  Writer  maketh  mention 
of  one  who  could  see  to  the  Distance  of  135  Miles.  And 
M.Varro  nameth  the  Man,  saying  that  he  was  called  Strabo; 
and  that  during  the  Carthaginian  War  he  was  accustomed  to 
stand  upon  Lilybaeum,  a  Promontory  of  Sicily,  and  discover 
the  Fleet  coming  out  of  the  Harbour  of  Carthage ;  he  was 
also  able  to  tell  even  the  Number  of  the  Ships.  Callicrates 
made  Emmets,  and  other  equally  small  Creatures,  out  of 
Ivory,  so  that  other  Men  could  not  discern  the  Parts  of  their 
Bodies.  A  certain  Myrmecides  was  excellent  in  that  kind  of 
Workmanship ;  who  of  the  same  Material  carved  a  Chariot 
with  four  Wheels,  which  a  Fly  might  cover  with  her  Wings. 
Also  he  made  a  Ship  that  a  little  Bee  might  hide  with  her 
Wings.1 

CHAPTER  XXII. 
Of  Hearing. 

OF  Hearing  there  is  one  Example  which  is  wonderful : 
that  the  Battle  in  which  Sybaris  was  destroyed  was  heard  at 
Olympia  on  the  very  same  Day  it  was  fought.  For  the  Cim- 

1  Peculiarities  of  eyesight  are  also  recorded  in  ancient  authors.  The 
Emperor  Tiberius  was  able  to  see  better  than  other  men  by  night ;  and 
contrary  to  the  usual  habit,  best  when  he  first  opened  his  eyes  from  sleep. 
Such  was  also  the  case  with  the  philosopher  Cardan.  Fabricius  ab  Aqua- 
pendente  knew  a  man  who  could  see  well  by  night,  but  not  by  day;  and 
the  Editor  was  acquainted  with  two  brothers,  whose  vision  was  of  this 
kind ;  and  it  may  be  accounted  for  by  the  fact,  that  they  were  destitute  of 
eyebrows,  and  had  very  little  eyelashes. —  Wern.  Club. 


206  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  VIT. 

brian  Victories  and  the  Report  of  the  Victory  over  the  Per- 
sians made  at  Rome  by  the  Castors,  on  the  same  Day  that  it 
was  achieved,  were  Visions  and  the  Presages  of  Divine 
Powers. 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 
Examples  of  Patience. 

MANY  are  the  Calamities  incident  to  Mankind,  which 
have  afforded  innumerable  Trials  of  Patience,  in  suffering 
Pains  of  the  Body.  The  most  illustrious  among  Women  is 
the  Example  of  Leana  the  Courtesan,  who,  when  she  was 
tortured,  did  not  betray  Harmodius  and  Aristogiton,  who 
slew  the  Tyrant.  Among  Men  is  the  Example  of  Anaxar- 
c/ius,  who,  being  tortured  for  a  like  Cause,  bit  off  his  Tongue 
with  his  Teeth,  and  spat  his  only  Hope  of  Discovery  into  the 
Face  of  the  Tyrant. 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 
Examples  of  Memory.1 

MEMORY  is  the  greatest  Gift  of  Nature,  and  most  neces- 
sary of  all  others  for  Life ;  it  is  hard  to  say  who  deserved  the 

1  The  orator  Hortensius  was  famous  for  an  extensive  and  accurate 
memory;  which  Cicero  speaks  of  with  admiration.  It  is  said  of  him, 
that  once  sitting  at  a  place  where  things  were  exposed  to  public  sale  for  a 
whole  day,  he  recited  in  order  all  the  things  that  had  been  sold,  their 
price,  and  the  names  of  the  buyers ;  and  it  was  afterwards  found  that  he 
was  minutely  correct.  Cicero,  comparing  him  with  Lucullus,  says,  that 
Hortensius's  memory  was  greater  for  words,  and  that  of  Lucullus  for 
things, — an  important  distinction,  for  it  is  commonly  found  that  those  who 
best  remember  the  one,  are  deficient  in  the  other.  Seneca  had  a  remark- 
able memory  for  words ;  so  that  he  was  able  to  repeat  two  thousand  names 
in  the  order  they  were  pronounced.  The  art  of  memory,  to  which  some 
moderns  have  made  great  pretensions,  is  very  ancient ;  and  it  was  much 
in  use  in  the  middle  ages.  But  it  applies  to  words  rather  than  things ; 
and  it  requires  to  be  studied  as  an  individual  object,  and  not  as  means  to 
an  end.  —  Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  207 

chief  honour  therein,  considering  how  many  have  excelled 
in  its  Glory.  King  Cyrus  called  every  Soldier  in  his  Army 
by  his  own  Name.  L.  Scipio  could  do  the  like  by  all  the 
Citizens  of  Rome.  Cineas,  Ambassador  of  King  Pyrrhus, 
the  next  Day  after  he  came  to  Rome,  saluted  by  Name  the 
Senate  and  Equestrian  Order.  Mithridates,  the  King  of  two- 
and-twenty  Nations  of  different  Languages,  ministered  Justice 
to  them  in  that  Number  of  Tongues:  and  when  he  made  a 
Speech  in  the  public  Assembly  respectively  to  every  Nation,  he 
performed  it  without  an  Interpreter.  A  certain  Charmidas,* 
a  Grecian,  rehearsed  as  if  he  was  reading  whatever  any  Man 
would  call  for  out  of  any  of  the  Volumes  in  the  Libraries. 
At  length  the  Practice  of  this  was  reduced  into  an  Art  of 
Memory,  which  was  invented  by  Simonides  Melicus,  and 
afterwards  brought  to  Perfection  by  Metrodorus  Scepsius;  by 
which  a  Man  might  learn  to  rehearse  the  same  Words  of  any 
Discourse  after  once  hearing.  And  yet  there  is  nothing  in 
Man  so  frail ;  for  it  is  injured  by  Diseases,  Accidents,  and  by 
Fear,  sometimes  in  part,  and  at  other  Times  entirely.  One 
who  was  struck  with  a  Stone  forgot  his  Letters  only.  Ano- 
ther, by  a  Fall  from  the  Roof  of  a  very  high  House,  lost 
the  Remembrance  of  his  own  Mother,  his  near  Relations, 
and  Neighbours.  Another  when  sick  forgot  his  own  Ser- 
vants ;  and  Messala  Corvinus,  the  Orator,  forgot  even  his 
own  Name.2  So  also  it  often  erideavoureth  to  lose  itself,  even 
while  the  Body  is  otherwise  quiet  and  in  Health.  But  let 
Sleep  creep  upon  us,  and  it  reckoneth,  as  an  empty  Mind 
inquireth,  what  place  it  is  in. 

1  Carneades,  according  to  Cicero  and  Quintilian. 

2  A  sudden  loss  of  memory  on  a  particular  subject  is  common,  though 
unaccountable.     We  are  told  that  Curio,  the  orator,  was  much  given  to 
this ;  so  that,  offering  to  divide  a  subject  into  three  heads,  he  would  forget 
one  of  them,  or  perhaps  make  four.   He  was  to  plead  on  behalf  of  Sextus 
Nsevius,  opposed  to  Cicero,  who  was  on  the  side  of  Titania  Corta ;  when 
he  suddenly  forgot  the  whole  cause,  and  ascribed  the  fact  to  the  witchcraft 
of  Titania.  —  Wern.  Club. 


208 


History  of  Nature. 


[BooK  VII. 


Julius  Caesar  and  Augustus. 

CHAPTER  XXV. 
The  Praise  of  C.  Julius  Casar. 

FOR  Vigour  of  Spirit  I  judge  that  C.  Ceesar,  the  Dictator, 
was  the  most  excellent.  1  speak  not  now  of  his  Courage 
and  Constancy,  nor  of  his  lofty  Understanding  of  all  Things 
under  the  Expanse  of  Heaven  ;  but  of  that  proper  Strength 
and  Quickness  of  his,  as  active  as  the  very  Fire.  We  have 
heard  it  reported  of  him,  that  he  was  accustomed  to  write 
and  read  at  one  Time,  to  dictate  and  hear.  He  would  dic- 
tate Letters  of  the  utmost  Importance  to  four  Secretaries  at 
once :  and  when  he  was  free  from  other  Business,  he  would 
dictate  seven  Letters  at  one  Time.  The  same  Man  fought 
fifty  Battles  with  Banners  displayed  :  in  which  Point  he 
alone  exceeded  M.  Marcellus,  who  fought  thirty-nine  Battles. 
For,  besides  his  Victories  in  the  Civil  Wars,  he  slew  in  Battle 
1,192,000  of  his  Enemies  ;  but  this,  for  my  own  Part,  I  hold 
no  special  Glory  of  his,  considering  the  great  Injury  so  in- 
flicted on  Mankind  :  and  this,  indeed,  he  hath  himself  con- 
fessed, by  avoiding  to  set  down  the  Slaughter  that  occurred 
during  the  Civil  Wars.  Pompey  the  Great  deserveth  honour 
more  justly  for  taking  from  the  Pirates  846  Sail  of  Ships. 
But  what  is  proper  and  peculiar  to  Ceesar,  besides  what  is 
said  above,  was  his  remarkable  Clemency,  in  which  he  so  far 
surpassed  all  others,  that  he  himself  regretted  it.  The  Example 
of  his  Magnanimity  was  such,  that  nothing  besides  can  be  com- 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  209 

pared  to  it.  For  to  reckon  up  the  Spectacles  exhibited,  with 
the  lavish  Expense,  with  the  Magnificence  in  this  Portion  of 
his  Works,  is  to  lend  a  countenance  to  Luxury.  But  herein 
appeared  the  true  and  incomparable  Loftiness  of  his  un- 
conquered  Mind,  that  when  at  the  Battle  of  Pharsalia,  the 
Writing-case  containing  the  Letters  of  Pompey  was  taken, 
as  also  those  of  Scipio  at  Thapsus,  he  burnt  them  all  with 
the  utmost  Fidelity,  without  having  read  them. 


Pompey. 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 
The  Praise  of  Pompey  the  Great, 

To  relate  all  the  Titles,  Victories,  and  Triumphs  of  Pompey 
the  Great,  wherein  he  was  equal  in  the  splendour  of  his 
Exploits  not  only  to  Alexander  the  Great,1  but  even  almost 
to  Hercules  and  Liber  Pater,  would  redound,  not  to  the 
Honour  only  of  that  one  Man,  but  also  to  the  Grandeur  of 
the  Roman  Empire.  In  the  first  place  then,  after  he  had 
recovered  Sicily,  from  whence  his  first  rising  was  as  a  follower 
of  Sylla  in  the  cause  of  the  Republic,  he  appeared  auspiciously 

1  It  is  clear  from  various  ancient  authorities,  that  it  was  the  ambition 
of  Pompey  to  imitate  and  be  compared  to  Alexander ;  and  it  was  with  this 
view  that  the  title  of  Great  was  highly  acceptable  to  him.  It  was  per- 
haps to  humour  this  foible,  and  through  it  to  secure  him  the  more  effec- 
tually to  his  party,  that  Sylla  was  accustomed  to  pay  him  extraordinary 
personal  honours :  returning  his  salutation  of  Iraperator  with  the  same 
title,  rising  from  his  seat  to  salute  him  when  Pompey  dismounted  from 
his  horse,  and  uncovering  his  head  at  the  same  time. — Daleschampim. 
In  honour  of  Pompey's  having  restored  the  sovereignty  of  the  sea,  the 
reverse  of  a  Roman  denarius  bears  the  figure  of  a  Dolphin  and  Eagle, 
separated  by  a  Sceptre,  with  the  inscription,  Magn.  Procos. —  Wern.  Club. 


210  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  VII. 

fortunate.  Having  also  wholly  subdued  Africa,  and  brought 
it  under  obedience,  he  was  brought  back  in  a  Triumphal 
Chariot,  with  the  name  of  Great,  by  reason  of  the  Pillage 
there  captured,  being  then  only  a  Roman  Knight :  a  thing 
that  was  never  seen  before.  Immediately  passing  into  the 
West,  and  having  brought  under  obedience  876  Towns, 
between  the  Alps  and  the  borders  of  S,pain,  he  erected 
Trophies  on  the  Pyrenees,  with  the  inscription  of  his  Victory  ; 
and  with  more  nobleness  of  Mind,  said  nothing  concerning 
Sertorius.  And  after  the  Civil  War  was  put  an  end  to 
(which  drew  after  it  all  Foreign  matters),  this  Roman  Knight 
triumphed  the  second  time :  being  so  many  times  a  General 
(Imperator),  before  he  was  a  Soldier  (Miles).  Afterward 
he  was  sent  out  on  an  Expedition  to  all  the  Seas,  and  then 
into  the  East  parts  :  From  whence  he  returned  with  more 
Titles  to  his  Country,  after  the  manner  of  those  who  win 
Victories  at  the  Sacred  Games.1  Neither,  indeed,  are  those 
Crowned,  but  they  Crown  their  Native  Countries;  and 
so  Pompey  gave  as  a  Tribute  to  the  City  these  honours 
which  he  dedicated  to  Minerva,*  out  of  (manubiis)  his  own 
share  of  the  Spoils,  with  an  inscription  in  this  manner : 
CN.  POMPEIUS  the  Great,  Imperator,  having  finished  the 
War  of  Thirty  Years:  having  discomfited,  put  tofiight,  slain, 
received  to  submission,  2,183,000  Men :  sunk  or  taken  846 
Ships :  brought  under  his  authority  Towns  and  Castles  to  the 
number  of  1538  :  subdued  the  Lands  from  the  Lake  Mceotis 
to  the  Red  Sea,  hath  dedicated  of  right  this  Vow  to  MINERVA. 
This  is  the  Summary  of  his  Services  in  the  East.  But  of  the 
Triumph  which  he  led  on  the  Third  Day  before  the  Calends 
of  October,  when  M.  Messala  and  M.  Piso  were  Consuls, 
the  Title  ran  thus  :  When  he  bad  freed  the  Sea-coast  from 
Pirates,  had  restored  to  the  People  of  Rome  the  Sovereignty 
of  the  Sea,  he  hath  triumphed  for  Asia ;  Pontus,  Armenia, 
Paphlagonia,  Cappadocia,  Cilicia,  Syria,  the  Scythians,  Jews, 
and  the  Albani ;  the  Island  Iberia,  Crete,  the  Bastarni ; 
and  above  these,  over  the  Kings  Mithridates  and  Tigranes. 
But  the  greatest  Glory  of  all  in  him  was  this,  (as  himself 

1  Olympia,  Neraaea,  Pythia,  Isthmia.  *  Or  Victory. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  211 

said  in  an  Assembly,  when  he  discoursed  of  his  own  Ex- 
ploits):  that  whereas  Asia,  when  he  received  it,  was  the 
remotest  Province  of  his  Country,  he  left  it  in  the  centre. 
If  a  man  would  set  Ccesar  on  the  other  side  against  him, 
and  review  his  actions,  who  of  the  two  seemed  greater, 
he  might  indeed  reckon  up  the  whole  World,  which  would 
amount  to  an  infinite  matter. 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 
The  praise  of  the  First  Cato. 

MANY  Men  have  differently  excelled  in  various  other 
kinds  of  virtues.  But  Cato,1  the  First  of  the  Porcian  House, 
was  thought  to  have  been  the  most  excellent  in  three 
things  which  are  in  the  highest  degree  commendable  in 
Man.  He  was  the  best  Orator;  the  best  General ;  and  the 
best  Senator.  And  yet,  in  my  opinion,  all  these  excellencies 
shone  out  more  brightly,  although  he  was  not  first,  in  Scipio 
JEmilianus :  To  say  nothing  besides  of  the  absence  of  the 
Hatred  of  so  many  Men,  which  Cato  laboured  under.  But 
if  you  seek  for  one  especial  thing  in  Cato,  this  is,  that  he 
was  judicially  called  to  his  answer  Forty-four  times,  and 
never  was  there  a  Man  accused  oftener  than  he ;  yet  he  was 
always  acquitted. 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

Of  Valour. 
IT  is  a  very  extensive  inquiry,  to  discover  in  whom  the 

1  This  Cato  appears  to  have  been  more  successful  in  obtaining  the 
esteem  than  the  love  of  the  people ;  and,  indeed,  from  the  evidence  of  his 
"  Treatise  on  Agriculture,"  he  appears  to  have  been  a  niggardly  and 
shrewd  master,  whom  no  one  could  defraud,  and  who  was  ready  to 
secure  every  advantage  in  a  bargain.  He  recommends,  with  the  same 
indifference,  the  sale  of  an  ox  that  was  past  labour,  his  rusty  iron,  and 
sickly  or  worn-out  slave. 

Narratur  et  prisci  Catonis, 

Saepe  mero  caluisse  Virtus.—  Wern.  Club. 


212  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  VII. 

greatest  degree  of  hardy  Courage  existed ;  and  more  espe- 
cially if  we  admit  the  fabulous  tales  of  Poets.  Q.  Ennius 
had  in  greatest  admiration  T.  Ccecilius  Teucer,  and  his 
brother;  and  in  regard  of  those  Two  he  added  to  the  others 
the  Sixth  Book  of  his  Annals.  But  L.  Siccius  Dentatus,  a 
Tribune  of  the  Commons,  not  long  after  the  Banishment  of 
the  Kings,  when  Sp.  Tarpeius  and  A.  JEternius  were  Con- 
suls, by  most  Voices  surpasseth  in  this  kind,  having  Fought 
120  Battles;  having  been  Conqueror  in  Eight  Combats  with 
a  Challenge ;  being  marked  with  45  Scars  on  the  front 
of  his  Body,  and  none  behind.  Also  he  won  the  Spoils  of 
33  Enemies;  he  had  been  presented  with  18  Spears;  25 
trappings  for  Horses ;  83  Chains ;  160  Bracelets ;  26 
Crowns,  of  which  14  were  Civic,  eight  of  Gold :  three 
Mural ;  and  one  Obsidional ;  together  with  a  Pension  from 
the  Treasury ;  and  ten  Captives  with  twenty  Oxen ;  and 
thus  he  followed  nine  Imperators,  who  chiefly  by  his  means 
triumphed.  Besides  these  things,  he  accused  in  open  court 
before  the  body  of  the  People,  which  I  suppose  was  the 
worthiest  act  he  ever  did,  T.  Romulius,  one  of  the  lead- 
ing Generals  (who  had  been  a  Consul)  and  convicted  him  for 
his  ill  management  of  his  military  command.  Scarcely 
inferior  to  these  were  the  exploits  of  Manlius  Capitolinus,  if 
he  had  not  forfeited  them  again  with  such  an  end  of  his  life.1 
Before  he  was  seventeen  years  of  age,  he  had  gained  two 
spoils  of  his  Enemies.  He  was  the  first  Roman  Knight  that 
received  a  Mural  Crown ;  with  six  Civic  Crowns  ;  37  Dona- 
tions; and  he  carried  the  Scars  in  the  forepart  of  his  Body 
of  33  Wounds.  He  rescued  P.  Servilius,  Master  of  the 
Horse,  and  (in  the  rescue)  was  himself  wounded  in  the  Arm 

1  Marcus  Manlius  was  the  means  of  preserving  the  Capitol  when  it  was 
nearly  taken  by  the  Gauls ;  from  which  exploit  he  obtained  the  surname 
of  Capitolinus.  Becoming  afterwards  a  warm  supporter  of  the  popular 
party  against  the  patrician  order,  he  was  accused  of  aiming  at  the  kingly 
power,  and  condemned  to  death.  According  to  Livy  (lib.  vi.)  "the 
tribunes  cast  him  down  from  the  Tarpeian  rock ;  thus  the  same  spot,  in 
the  case  of  one  man,  became  a  monument  of  distinguished  glory  and  of 
the  cruellest  punishment." — Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  213 

and  Thigh.  Above  all  other  actions,  he  alone  saved  the 
Capitol,  and  thereby  the  whole  State,  from  the  Gauls:  if  he 
had  not  saved  it  for  his  own  Kingdom  !  In  these  examples 
there  is  indeed  much  of  courage,  but  yet  Fortune  hath  had  the 
greater  share;  and  in  my  judgment  no  one  may  justly  prefer 
any  Man  before  M.  Sergius,  although  Catiline,  his  Nephew's 
Son,  discredited  his  Name.  In  the  second  Year  of  his  Service 
he  lost  his  Right  Hand  ;  and  in  two  Services  he  was  wounded 
three  and  twenty  times :  by  which  means  he  had  little  use 
of  either  his  Hands  or  Feet.  But  although  thus  disabled 
as  a  Soldier,  he  went  many  a  Time  after  to  the  Wars, 
attended  only  by  one  Slave.  Twice  he  was  taken  Prisoner 
by  Hannibal  (for  he  did  not  serve  against  ordinary  Enemies), 
and  twice  he  escaped  from  his  bonds,  although  for  twenty 
Months  he  was  every  Day  kept  Bound  with  Chains  or 
Shackles.  Four  times  he  fought  with  his  Left  Hand  only, 
until  two  Horses  were  killed  under  him.  He  made  himself 
a  Right  Hand  of  Iron,  and  he  fought  with  it  fastened  to  his 
Arm.  He  delivered  Cremona  from  Siege,  and  saved  Pla- 
centia.  In  Gallia,  he  took  twelve  Camps  of  the  Enemies: 
All  which  Exploits  appear  from  that  Oration  of  his  which  he 
made  in  his  Praetorship,  when  his  Colleagues  repelled  him 
from  the  solemn  Sacrifices  because  he  was  maimed.1  What 
heaps  of  Crowns  would  he  have  built  up  if  he  had  been 
matched  with  any  other  Enemy  !  For  it  is  very  important, 
in  our  estimate  of  Courage,  to  consider  in  what  Time  the 
Persons  lived.  For  what  Civic  Crowns  yielded  either  Trebia 
and  Ticinus,  or  Thrasyrnenus?  what  Crown  could  have  been 
gained  at  Cannaa,  where  the  best  service  of  Courage  was  to 
have  made  an  escape  1  Others,  truly,  have  vanquished  Men  ; 
but  Sergius  conquered  Fortune  herself. 

1  The  ancients  were  cautious  not  to  admit  a  mutilated  person  to  the 
celebration  of  sacred  rites,  observing  that  such  a  defect  was  to  be  regarded 
as  a  thing  of  ill-omen  ;  and  that,  if  the  victim  must  be  perfect,  how  much 
more  does  it  become  the  priest  to  be  so !  How  careful  the  Jews  were 
commanded  to  be  in  this  respect,  appears  from  the  Law  of  Moses, 
Levit.  xx.  xxi.—  Wern.  Club. 


214  History  of  Nature.  [BOOK  VII. 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

Of  Ingenuities,  or  the  Commendations  of  some  Men  for  their 
Ingenuity. 

WHO  is  able  to  make  a  muster  of  them  that  have  been 
excellent  in  Ingenuity  through  so  many  kinds  of  Sciences, 
and  such  a  variety  of  Works  and  Things?  Unless  perhaps 
we  agree  that  Homer,  the  Greek  Prophet,  excelled  all  others, 
considering  either  the  subject  matter  or  the  happy  fortune 
of  his  Work.  And  therefore  Alexander  the  Great  (for  in  so 
proud  a  decision  I  shall  cite  the  Judgment  of  the  highest, 
and  of  those  that  are  beyond  Envy),  having  found  among 
the  Spoils  of  Darius,  king  of  the  Persians,  his  Casket  of 
sweet  Ointments,  which  was  richly  embellished  with  Gold, 
Pearls,  and  precious  Stones  ;  when  his  friends  shewed  him 
many  uses  to  which  the  Cabinet  might  be  put,  considering 
that  Alexander,  as  a  Soldier  engaged  in  War,  and  soiled  with 
its  service,  was  disgusted  with  those  Unguents  :  By  Hercules, 
he  said,  let  it  be  devoted  to  the  care  of  Homer's  Books,  that 
the  most  precious  Work  of  the  Human  Mind  should  be  pre- 
served in  the  richest  of  all  Caskets.  The  same  Prince,  when 
he  took  Thebes,  commanded  that  the  Dwelling-house  and 
Family  of  the  Poet  Pindar*  should  be  spared.  He  refounded 
the  native  place  (Patria)  of  Aristotle  the  Philosopher ;  and 
so  mingled  a  kind  Testimony  for  one  who  threw  light  on 
all  things  in  the  World.  Apollo,  at  Delphi,  revealed  the 
murderers  of  Archilochus  the  Poet.  When  Sophocles,  the 
Prince  of  the  Tragic  Buskin,  was  dead,  and  the  Walls  of 
the  City  were  besieged  by  the  Lacedaemonians,  Liber  Pater 
commanded  that  he  should  be  buried  ;  and  he  admonished 
Lysander  their  King  several  times  as  he  slept,  to  suffer  his 
delight  to  be  interred.  The  King  made  diligent  inquiry  who 

1  "  The  Macedonian  conqueror  bade  spare 

The  house  of  Pindarus,  when  temple  and  tower 
Went  to  the  ground."— MILTON. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  215 

lately  had  died  in  Athens :  and  by  relation  of  the  Citizens 
soon  found  out  who  the  god  had  signified ;  and  so  gave  them 
peace  for  the  burial. 


CHAPTER  XXX. 
Of  Plato,  Ennius,  Virgil,  M.  Varro,  and  M.  Cicero. 

DIONYSIUS  the  Tyrant,  born  otherwise  to  pride  and 
cruelty,  sent  out  to  meet  Plato,  the  Chief  of  the  Wise 
Men,  a  Ship  adorned  with  Ribbons;  and  himself  went  out 
in  a  Chariot  with  four  white  Horses,  to  receive  him  on  the 
Shore.  Isocrates  sold  one  Oration  for  twenty  talents  of  Gold. 
jEschines,  the  famous  Orator  of  Athens,  having  at  Rhodes 
rehearsed  that  accusation  which  he  had  made  against 
Demosthenes,  read  also  his  adversary's  defence,  by  occasion 
of  which  he  had  been  driven  into  Banishment  at  Rhodes ; 
and  when  the  Rhodians  wondered  at  it  he  said,  How  much 
more  would  you  have  wondered,  if  you  had  heard  him  de- 
livering it  himself!  Yielding  thus  in  his  Calamity  a  noble 
Testimony  to  his  Adversary.  The  Athenians  exiled  Thucy- 
dides  their  General :  but  after  he  had  written  his  Chronicle 
they  called  him  home  again,  wondering  at  the  Eloquence  of 
the  Man  whose  Courage  they  had  condemned.  The  Kings 
of  Egypt  and  Macedonia  gave  a  strong  Testimony  how  much 
they  honoured  Mcenander  the  Comic  Poet,  in  that  they 
sent  Ambassadors  for  him  with  a  Fleet ;  but  he  won  himself 
greater  fame  by  esteeming  more  his  Studies,  than  the  Favours 
of  Princes.  Also  the  Roman  Nobles  have  afforded  Testi- 
monies even  to  Foreigners.  Hence  Cn.  Pompey,  when  he  had 
ended  the  War  against  Mithridates,  being  about  to  enter  the 
House  of  Posidonius,  the  celebrated  Professor  of  Wisdom, 
forbad  the  Lictor  to  knock  at  the  Door  according  to  custom  : 
and  he  to  whom  both  the  East  and  the  West  parts  of  the 
World  had  submitted,  laid  down  the  lictorial  Fasces  at  the 
Gate.  Cato,  surnamed  Censorius,  when  there  came  to  Rome 
that  noble  embassage  from  Athens,  consisting  of  three,  the 
wisest  Men  among  them,  having  heard  Carneades  speak, 


2 1 6  History  of  Nature.  [  BOOK  V 1 1 . 

gave  his  opinion  presently,  that  those  Ambassadors  were  to 
be  sent  away  with  all  speed,  because,  if  that  Man  argued  the 
case,  it  would  be  difficult  to  find  out  the  Truth.1  What  a 
change  is  there  now  in  Men's  manners  !  His  decision  was, 
that  by  any  means  all  Greeks  should  be  expelled  from  Italy  ; 
but  his  nephew's  Son,  (Pronepos,)  Cato  of  Utica,  brought  one 
of  their  Philosophers  over  with  him  from  the  Tribunes  of  the 
Soldiers,  and  another  from  the  Cyprian  Embassy.  And  it  is 
worthy  of  notice  to  consider  how  the  same  Language  was  regard- 
ed by  these  two  Catoes :  for  by  the  one  it  was  rejected.  But 
let  us  now  discern  the  glory  of  our  own  Countrymen.  Scipio 
Africanusthe  elder  gave  order  that  the  Statue  of  Q,  Ennius* 

1  The  account  of  Cato's  conduct  with  the  Greek  ambassadors,  as 
given  by  Pliny,  is  very  different  from  that  by  Plutarch,  and,  from 
Cato's  acknowledged  love  of  eloquence,  we  may  judge  more  correct.  It 
was  not,  therefore,  the  fear  that  eloquence  would  render  the  Romans 
effeminate ;  but  because  the  peculiar  eloquence  of  these  men,  with  per- 
haps the  general  tendency  of  Greek  studies,  was  calculated  to  foster 
habits  of  sophistry,  and  so  confound  the  distinction  between  truth  and 
falsehood.—  Wem.  Club. 

3  He  was  emphatically  the  poet  of  the  republic,  and  must  have  been 
a  man  of  sterling  worth  to  have  been  so  highly  esteemed  by  the  family 
of  Scipio,  and  by  the  censor  Cato.  "  It  was  well  known  from  a  passage 
in  Cicero,  and  another  in  Livy,  that  the  sepulchre  of  the  Scipios  stood 
beyond  the  Porta  Capena  of  Rome  ;  and  Livy  describes  it  as  being  in  his 
time  surmounted  by  three  statues :  two  of  them  of  the  Scipios,  and  the 
third,  as  was  believed,  of  the  poet  Ennius.  But  it  was  not  until  the  year 
A.D.  1780,  that  some  labourers  at  work  in  a  vineyard  discovered  a  clue 
which  led  to  further  excavations;  and  thus  the  tombs,  after  having  lain 
undisturbed  for  upwards  of  2000  years,  were  most  unexpectedly  brought 
to  light.  The  original  inscriptions  have  been  removed  to  the  Vatican." 
The  following  is  from  "  Roma  Antica,"  but  is  also  contained  in  Mont- 
faucon's  "  Antiquities,"  and  it  must  belong  to  that  Scipio  who  is  spoken  of 
by  Pliny  in  the  thirty-fourth  chapter  of  this  book,  though  our  author 
has  erred  in  the  application :  — 

Hone  .  oino  .  ploirume  .  consentient  .  R  . 

Duonoro  .  optumo  .  fuise  .  viro  . 

Luciom  .  Scipione  .  filios  .  Barbati  . 

Consol .  Censor  .  Aidilis  .  Hie  .  fuit  .A  .... 

Hec  .  cepit  .  Corsica  .  Aleriaque  .  Urbe  . 

Dedet  .  tempestatebus  .  aide  .  mereto  . 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  217 

the  Poet  should  be  set  over  his  Tomb;1  to  the  end  that  this 
illustrious  name,  or  indeed  the  spoil  that  he  had  carried 
away  from  a  third  part  of  the  World,  should  be  read  over  his 
last  ashes,  with  the  title  of  the  Poet.  Divus  Augustus  forbad 
that  the  Poems  of  Virgil  should  be  burned,  contrary  to  the 
truth  of  his  will ;  by  which  means  there  grew  more  credit  to 
the  Poet,  than  if  himself  had  approved  his  own  Verses. 
Asinius  Pollio  was  the  first  that  set  up  a  public  Library  at 
Rome,  raised  from  his  portion  of  spoil ;  and  in  it  he  placed 
the  image  of  M.  Varro,  even  while  he  lived  :  a  thing  of  as 
great  honour,  in  my  opinion  (considering  that  among  the 
multitude  of  learned  Men  he  only  received  this  Crown  from  a 
Citizen  and  an  excellent  Orator),  as  that  other  Naval  Crown 
gained  him,  which  Pompey  the  Great  bestowed  upon  him 

Thus  interpreted : — 

Hunc  unum  plurimi  consentiunt  Romae, 

Bonorum  optimum  fuisse  virum, 

Lucium  Scipionem,  filius  Barbati, 

Consol,  Censor,  ^Edilis,  Hie  fuit ;  atque  (or,  apud  vos, 

or  ad  eos). 

Hie  cepit  Corsicam,  Aleriamque  urbem 
Dedit  Tempestatibus  aedem  merito. 

"  The  Roman  people  agree  in  thinking  this  man,  Lucius  Scipio,  the 
best  of  all  good  citizens.  He  was  the  son  of  Barbatus,  and  consul,  censor, 
and  aedile  among  you.  He  took  Corsica,  and  the  city  Aleria,  and 
worthily  dedicated  a  temple  to  the  Seasons." 

This  inscription  was  dug  up  in  1616,  but  was  rejected  as  spurious  until 
the  others  were  discovered.  Africanus,  the  greatest  of  the  Scipios,  was 
not  buried  in  the  paternal  tomb,  but  on  the  shore  at  Liternum ;  and  the 
inscription  on  his  tomb  is  supposed  to  have  been,  "  Ingrata  Patria,  ne 
ossa  quidem  habes."  The  place  is  supposed  to  be  marked  by  a  modern 
tower,  which  from  the  inscription  still  retains  the  name  of  "  Patria." — 
Wern.  Club. 

1  "  Nor  think  the  great  from  their  high  place  descend, 
Who  choose  the  Muses'  favourite  for  a  friend ; 
When  mighty  Scipio,  Rome  well  pleas'd  could  see, 
With  Ennius  join'd,  in  kindest  amity." 

JEPHSON'S  Roman  Portraits. 

"  L'intime  liaison  de  Scipion  avec  le  poe'te  Ennius,  avec  qui  il  voulut 
avoir  un  tombeau  commun,  fait  juger  qu'il  ne  manquoit  pas  de  gout 
pour  les  belles  lettres." — Hist.  Rom.  par  ROLLIS,  vol.  vii. 


218  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VII. 

in  the  Pirates'  War.  There  are  innumerable  Roman  exam- 
ples, if  a  Man  would  search  them  out:  for  this  one  Nation 
hath  brought  forth  more  excellent  Men  in  every  kind  than 
all  besides.  But  why  should  I  be  silent  concerning  the  sacri- 
fice of  M.  Tullius?  or  how  shall  I  best  declare  his  high 
excellency?  how  better  his  praises  than  from  the  most 
ample  testimony  of  the  whole  body  of  the  People  in  general, 
and  the  acts  only  of  this  Consulship,  chosen  out  of  the 
whole  course  of  thy  life?  Thine  Eloquence  was  the  cause 
that  the  Tribes  renounced  the  Agrarian  Law :  that  is,  their 
own  Sustenance.  Through  thy  Persuasion  they  pardoned 
Roscius,  the  Author  of  the  Law  of  the  Theatre;1  they  were 
content  to  be  noted  by  the  Difference  of  Seat.  At  thy 
Request  the  Children  of  the  Proscribed  felt  ashamed  to  sue 
for  honourable  Dignities ;  Catiline  fled  from  thy  Ability ;  it 
was  thou  that  proscribedst  M.  Antonius.  Hail,  thou  who  wast 
the  first  that  wast  saluted  by  the  Name  of  Father  of  thy  Coun- 
try! the  first  in  the  long  Robe  that  deserved  a  Triumph,  and 
the  Laurel  for  thy  Language  !  the  Father  indeed  of  Elo- 
quence and  of  the  Latin  Learning  :  and  (as  the  Dictator 
Ccesar,  who  was  at  one  Time  thine  Enemy,  hath  written  of 
thee)  hast  obtained  a  Laurel  above  all  other  Triumphs,  by  how 
much  more  Praiseworthy  it  is  to  have  enlarged  the  Bounds 
of  Roman  Learning  than  of  Roman  Dominion. 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 
Of  Majesty  in  Manners. 

THOSE  who,  among  other  Gifts  of  the  Mind,  have  sur- 
passed the  rest  of  Mankind  in  Wisdom,  were  on  that  Account 
among  the  Romans  surnamed  Cati,  and  CorculL  Among  the 
Greeks,  Socrates  was  preferred  to  all  beside  by  the  Oracle  of 
Apollo  Pythius. 

1  The  Roscian  and  Julian  law,  of  which  L.  Roscius  Otho,  tribune  of 
the  people,  was  the  author,  which  denned  and  regulated  the  order  of 
sitting  in  the  public  theatre ;  where,  before  this,  the  people  mixed  indis- 
criminately with  the  knights.  The  law  seems  to  have  been  unpopular, 
and  therefore  to  have  required  frequent  renewal.  Martial  (b.  v.  ep.  8), 
has  an  amusing  epigram  on  its  enforcement  by  Domitian.  —  Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  219 

CHAPTER  XXXII. 
Of  Authority. 

AGAIN,  Chilo  the  Lacedaemonian  was  of  such  great  Reput- 
ation among  Men,  that  his  Sayings  were  held  for  Oracles ; 
and  three  Precepts  of  his  were  consecrated  at  Delphi,  in 
these  Words :  That  each  one  should  know  himself:  Set  thy 
Mind  too  much  on  Nothing:  Debt  and  Law  are  always  accom- 
panied with  Misery.  Moreover,  when  he  died  for  Joy,  on 
receiving  Tidings  that  his  Son  was  Conqueror  at  Olympia, 
all  Greece  solemnised  his  Funeral. 

CHAPTER  XXXIII. 
Of  a  divine  Spirit. 

AMONG  Women,  in  the  Sibyl1  there  was  a  divine  Spirit, 
and  a  certain  very  noble  Companionship  with  celestial 
Beings.  Of  Men,  among  the  Greeks,  Melampus;  and  among 
the  Romans,  Martins. 

CHAPTER  XXXIV. 
Of  Nasica. 

SCIPIO  NASICA  was  judged  once  by  the  sworn  Senate  to 
be  the  best  Man  from  the  Beginning  of  Time:  but  the  same 
Man  is  remarked  to  have  twice  suffered  a  Repulse  by  the 
People  in  his  white  Robe.  And  to  conclude,  it  was  not  per- 
mitted him  to  die  in  his  own  Country;  no  more,  by  Hercules, 
than  it  was  that  Socrates,  pronounced  the  wisest  Man  by 
Apollo,  should  die  out  of  Bonds. 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 
Of  Modesty. * 

SULPITIA,  Daughter  of  Paterculus  and  Wife  to  Fulvius 
Flaccus,  by  the  Sentence  in  general  of  the  Matrons  was  pro- 

1  The  Sibyls  will  be  referred  to  in  the  34th  book.—  Wern.  Club. 
*  It  was  an  ancient  law, "  Ut  Matronis  de  via  decederetur,  nihil  obscoeni 
presentibus  iis  vel  diceretur  vel  fieret,  neve  quis  nudum  se  ab  iis  conspici 


220  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VII. 

nounced  the  most  modest ;  and  was  elected  out  of  a  hundred 
principal  Matrons  to  dedicate  the  Image  of  Venus,  according 
to  the  Sybilline  Books.  Claudia,  likewise  was,  by  a  religious 
Experiment  (proved  to  be  such),  by  bringing  the  Mother  of 
the  Gods  to  Rome. 


CHAPTER  XXXVI. 
Of  Piety.1 

TRULY,  in  all  Parts  of  the  World,  there  have  been  found 
infinite  Examples  of  Piety;  but  one  Example  of  this  occurred 
at  Rome,  to  which  none  beside  can  be  compared.  There 
was  a  young  Woman  of  humble  Condition  among  the  com- 
mon People,  and  therefore  of  no  account,  who  lately  had  been 
in  Childbed,  and  whose  Mother  was  shut  up  in  Prison  for 
some  great  Offence;  and  wh«n  this  Daughter  obtained  leave 
to  have  Access  to  her  Mother,  and  constantly  by  the  Jailer 
was  narrowly  searched,  that  she  might  not  bring  to  her  any 
Food,  she  was  at  last  detected  suckling  her  with  the  Milk 
of  her  Breasts.  On  account  of  this  astonishing  circum- 
stance the  Life  of  the  Mother  was  granted  to  the  Piety  of 
the  Daughter,  and  both  of  them  had  continued  Sustenance 
allowed  them ;  and  the  Place  where  this  happened  was  con- 
secrated to  this  Deity  (Piety) :  so  that  when  C.  Quintius  and 
M.  Acilius  were  Consuls,  the  Temple  of  Piety  was  built,  in 
the  very  Place  where  this  Prison  stood,  and  where  now 
stand  eth  the  Theatre  ofMarcellus.  The  Father  of  the  Gracchi 

pateretur,  alioquin  criminis  capitalis  reus  haberetur."  That  they  should 
give  way  to  matrons,  that  no  obscenity  should  either  be  spoken  or  done  in 
their  presence ;  and  that  no  man  should  suffer  himself  to  be  within  sight 
of  them  naked :  if  otherwise,  he  should  be  held  guilty  of  a  capital  crime. 
— Wern.  Club. 

1  In  the  language  of  the  ancients,  piety  is  not  to  be  understood  as 
having  a  reference  to  God,  but  only  as  expressing  the  law  of  social  kind- 
ness among  the  relations  of  blood  or  marriage.  It  proceeds  only  from 
revelation  that  the  latter  is  made  to  be  a  duty  flowing  from  the  former ; 
and  hence,  while  among  Heathens  the  most  vicious  of  mankind  in  his 
general  character  might  also  be  among  the  most  pious,  among  Christians 
no  such  anomalies  can  exist.  —  Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  221 

having  taken  two  Serpents  within  his  House,  received  an 
Answer  (from  the  Soothsayers),  that  if  he  would  himself  live 
the  female  Snake  must  be  killed.  Truly  then,  said  he,  rather 
kill  the  male ;  for  Cornelia  is  young,  and  may  have  more 
Children.  This  was  in  order  to  spare  his  Wife's  Life,  in 
consideration  of  the  Good  she  might  do  to  the  Common- 
wealth. And  so  it  fell  out  soon  after.  M.  Lepidus  so  en- 
tirely loved  his  wife  Apuleia,  that  he  died  when  she  was 
divorced  from  him.  P.  Rutilius  was  laid  by  from  some 
slight  Illness,  but  hearing  of  his  Brother's  Repulse  in  his 
Request  for  the  Consulship,  died  immediately.  P.  Catienus 
Philotimus  so  loved  his  Master  (Patronus),  that  though  he 
was  made  his  Heir  to  all  that  he  had,  yet  he  cast  himself  into 
his  funeral  Fire. 

CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

Of  the  Excellency  of  many  Arts,  as  Astrology,  Grammar, 
and  Geometry. 

IN  the  Knowledge  of  various  Arts  a  great  Number  of 
Men  have  excelled ;  but  we  will  only  take  the  Flower  of 
them,  and  touch  them  lightly.  In  Astrology,  Berosus  was 
eminent ;  to  whom  the  Athenians,  for  his  divine  Predictions, 
caused  a  Statue  with  a  golden  Tongue  to  be  erected  in  the 
public  Gymnasium.  In  Grammar,  Apollodorus  was  distin- 
guished ;  and  therefore  he  was  highly  honoured  by  the  Am- 
phitryons  of  Greece.  In  Medicine,  Hippocrates^  excelled ; 
and  having  foretold  a  Pestilence  that  was  approaching  from 
Illyria,  to  cure  it  he  sent  his  Disciples  to  the  surrounding 
Cities.  In  Recompense  of  which  good  Desert,  Greece  de- 
creed for  him  the  like  Honours  as  to  Hercules.  For  the  same 
Science,  King  Ptolemy  gave  to  Cleombrotus  of  Cea,  at  the 
sacred  Megalensian  Rites,  a  hundred  Talents,  especially  for 
curing  King  Antiochus.  Critobulus  likewise  acquired  great 
Fame  for  drawing  an  Arrow  out  of  King  Philip's  Eye,  and 

1  The  remarkable  observation  at  the  end  of  the  50th  chapter,  which 
appears  to  be  confirmed  by  the  course  of  the  most  formidable  epidemics  of 
modern  times,  will  account  for  this  skill  in  this  most  eminent  physician 


222 


History  of  Nature. 


[BooK  VII. 


so  curing  the  Wound  that  the  Sight  remained,  and  only  a 
Blemish  of  the  Mouth  remained.  But  Asclepiades  the  Pru- 
sian  surpassed  all  others,  having  founded  a  new  Sect ;  he 
rejected  the  Ambassadors  and  large  Promises  offered  by 
King  Mithridates;  discovered  a  Method  to  make  Wine  medi- 
cinable  for  the  Sick;  and  recovered  a  Man  to  his  former 
state  of  Health,  who  was  carried  forth  to  be  buried  :  and 
chiefly  he  attained  to  the  greatest  Name  for  the  Engagement 
made  against  Fortune,  that  he  would  not  be  reputed  a  Phy- 
sician if  he  ever  were  known  to  be  in  any  way  diseased.  And 
he  was  Conqueror ;  for  when  he  was  very  aged  he  fell  down 
over  the  Stairs,  and  was  killed.  A  high  Testimony  for  Know- 
ledge in  Geometry  and  the  making  of  Engines  was  given  by 
M.  Marcellus  to  Archimedes,  who  in  the  storming  of  Syra- 
cuse gave  express  Command  concerning  him  alone,  that  no 
Violence  should  be  done  to  him  ;  but  military  Imprudence 
disappointed  the  Order.  Ctesiphon  of  Gnosos  is  much  praised 
for  having  wonderfully  erected  the  Temple  of  Diana  at 
Ephesus.  Philon,  likewise,  was  highly  esteemed  for  making 
the  Arsenal  at  Athens,  which  was  able  to  receive  a  thousand 
Ships ;  and  Ctesibius  for  a  Method  of  forming  Wind  Instru- 
ments, and  the  Discovery  of  Engines  to  draw  Water :  Dino- 

of  antiquity,  who  had  the  benefit  of  access  to  the  long  series  of  records  of 
the  family  of  the  Asclepiadae,  and  whose  public  spirit  was  equal  to  his 
abilities  and  opportunities.  —  Wern.  Club. 


Medal  of  Hippocrates,  from  an  engraving  in  Dr.  Mead's  Harveyan  Oration,  1723. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  223 

crates,  also,  for  devising  the  Model  of  Alexandria  in  Egypt, 
when  Alexander  founded  it.  To  conclude,  this  great  Com- 
mander (Imperator)  forbade,  by  Edict,  that  any  Man  should 
paint  him  but  Apelles:  that  any  one  should  carve  his  Statue 
besides  Pyrgoteles :  and  that  any  one  except  Lysippus 
should  cast  his  Image  in  Brass.  In  which  Arts  many  have 
excelled. 

CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

Surprising  Works  of  Artificers.1 

KING  Attains  offered  by  Competition,  for  one  Picture  by 
Aristides  the  Theban  Painter,  a  hundred  Talents.  Ccesar 
the  Dictator  bought  for  eight  Talents  two  Pictures,  the 
Medea  and  Ajax  of  Timomachus,  which  he  meant  to  conse- 
crate in  the  Temple  of  Venus  Genetrix.  King  Candaulas 
bought  of  Butarchus  a  Picture  of  the  Destruction  of  the 
Magnetes,  of  no  great  Size,  and  weighed  it  in  an  equal  Scale 
with  Gold.  King  Demetrius,  surnamed  Expugnator,  forbore 
to  set  Rhodes  on  Fire,  because  he  would  not  burn  a  Picture  by 
Protogenes,  which  was  placed  in  that  part  of  the  Wall  which 
he  attacked.  Praxiteles  was  ennobled  on  account  of  a  marble 
Statue,  the  Gnidian  Venus,  remarkable  particularly  for  the 
mad  Love  of  a  certain  young  Man ;  which  Statue  was  so 
esteemed  by  King  Nicomedes,  that  he  endeavoured  to  obtain 
it  in  full  Payment  of  a  large  Debt  they  owed  him.  The 
Jupiter  Olympius  still  affordeth  daily  Testimony  to  Phydias. 
(Jupiter}  Capitolinus,  and  Diana  of  Ephesus  yield  Testimony 
to  Mentor :  and  the  Instruments  of  this  Art  were  consecrated 
by  them  in  their  Temples. 

CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

Of  Bondsmen.2 
I  HAVE  never  obtained  the  Knowledge  to  this  Day  of  a 

»  The  subject  of  statues  and  paintings  is  more  fully  treated  of  in  the 
34th  and  35th  books.— Wern.  Club. 

3  The  money  which  Marc  Antony  paid  for  a  couple  of  boys  is  given 
in  the  12th  chapter  of  this  book.— Wern.  Club. 


224  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VII. 

Man  born  a  Slave  who  was  valued  so  high  as  JDaphnis,  the 
Grammarian,  was :  for  Cn.  Pisaurensis  sold  him  for  300,700 
Sesterces  to  M.  Scaurus,  Prince  of  the  City.  In  this  our  Age 
Stage-players  have  gone  beyond  this  Price,  and  that  not  a 
little  ;  but  they  had  bought  their  Freedom.  And  no  Wonder, 
for  it  is  reported  that  the  Actor  Roscius  in  former  Time  had 
yearly  earned  500,000  Sesterces.  Unless  any  one  may  desire 
in  this  Place  to  hear  of  the  Treasurer  of  the  Armenian  War, 
a  little  while  before  carried  on  on  account  of  Tyridates,  and 
who  was  made  free  by  Nero  for  120,000  Sesterces.  But,  by 
Hercules,  it  was  the  War  that  cost  so  much,  and  not  the  Man. 
Like  as  Sutorius  Priscus  gave  to  Sejanus  3500  Sesterces  for 
Pcezon,  one  of  his  Eunuchs  :  but  this  was  more  for  Lust  than 
for  his  Beauty.  But  he  executed  this  infamous  Bargain  at  a 
Time  when  the  City  was  in  Sorrow,  and  no  Man  had  any 
Leisure  to  utter  a  Word  in  reproach. 

CHAPTER  XL. 
The  Excellency  of  Nations. 

IT  will  be  scarcely  questioned,  that  of  all  Nations  in  the 
World,  the  Romans1  are  the  most  excellent  for  every  Virtue  ; 
but  to  determine  who  was  the  happiest  Man  is  above  the 
reach  of  human  Understanding,  considering  that  some  fix 

1  The  Romans  were  a  haughty  people;  and  they  had  much  to  be 
proud  of:  for  we  have  no  records  of  a  nation  that  ever  understood  the 
arts  of  government  or  war  better  than  they.  But  of  what  is  properly 
denominated  science  they  knew  little;  and  the  Chevalier  Bunsen  re- 
marks, that  they  did  not  reverence  or  recognise  human  rights  in  any 
nation  beside  their  own.  The  love  of  knowledge  and  truth  for  their  own 
sakes  was  altogether  unknown  among  them,  and  they  never  conferred 
benefit  except  for  their  own  advantage.  Their  calculating  self-love  made 
them,  essentially,  beneficial  rulers ;  but  they  manifested  no  esteem  for  their 
subjects ;  and  we  may  add,  that  the  most  probable  motive  which  actuated 
Plutarch  in  writing  his  "  Lives,"  and  especially  for  arranging  them  in 
parallels,  was  to  shew  covertly  that  men,  as  great  in  all  respects  as  any 
Romans,  had  lived  in  Greece.  Germanicus  is  judged  to  have  been  an 
exception  to  this  Roman  constitution  of  mind ;  and  probably  there  were 
others  of  lower  rank ;  but  they  are  to  be  regarded  as  simply  the  exceptions 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Na f u re .  225 

their  highest  Advantage  in  one  Thing,  others  in  another;1 
and  every  one  measureth  it,  according  to  his  several  Dispo- 
sition :  but  if  we  wish  to  form  a  correct  Judgment,  throwing 
aside  all  the  Ambition  of  Fortune,  it  may  be  concluded,  that 
there  is  not  a  Man  in  the  World  to  be  accounted  happy.  And, 
therefore,  Fortune  dealeth  liberally  and  indulgently  with  any 
one,  if  he  may  justly  be  called  not  unhappy  ;  because  if  there 
be  no  other  Things,  yet  surely  a  Man  may  be  ever  in  Fear 
lest  Fortune  should  grow  tired  of  him  :  but  let  him  admit 
this  Fear,  and  there  can  be  no  solid  Happiness.  What 
should  I  say,  moreover,  to  this  ?  —  that  no  Man  is  at  all  Times 
wise  ?  I  wish  that  this  were  false,  and  not,  in  the  Judgment 
of  most  Men,  a  Poet's  Word  only.  But  such  is  the  Folly  of 
mortal  Men,  that  they  are  very  ingenious  in  deceiving  them- 
selves :  so  that  they  reckon  after  the  Custom  of  the  Thra- 
cians,  who,  by  Stones  marked  with  different  Colours,  which 
they  cast  into  an  Urn,  institute  the  Trial  of  every  Day  ;  and 
at  their  last  Day  they  separate  these  Stones  one  from  an- 
other and  count  them  :  and  thus  give  Judgment  concerning 

to  the  general  rule.  It  is  in  the  spirit  of  Pliny's  remark  that  Martial 
begins  his  Epigram  to  Trajan,  lib.  xii.  ep.  8  :  — 

"  Terrarum  Dea,  gentiumque  Roma, 
Cui  par  est  nihil,  et  nihil  secundum." 

Goddess  of  lands  and  nations,  Rome, 

Xothing  to  which  can  equal  come, 

And  nothing  second.  Wern.  Club. 

1  The  reader  is  referred  to  the  fourth  epistle  of  Pope's  "  Essay  on 
Man,"  for  a  more  extended  and  poetical  developement  of  this  sentiment. 

The  sentiments  in  the  latter  part  of  this  chapter  are  re-echoed  in  the 
Book  of  Ecclesiastes  by  Solomon ;  where  he  employs  the  advantages 
arising  from  his  high  situation  and  consummate  wisdom  in  seeking  to 
discover  whether,  on  merely  human  principles,  there  was  any  such  thing 
as  human  happiness  in  the  world.  The  result  was  the  same  as  is  expressed 
by  Pliny,  but  with  the  advantage  on  the  side  of  the  Hebrew  sage,  that 
he  was  able  to  find  in  his  more  elevated  principles  a  security  of  which 
Pliny  was  altogether  ignorant.  The  value  of  the  Life  and  Immortality 
which  have  been  brought  to  light  by  the  Gospel,  can  best  be  estimated 
when  we  see  the  gloom  which  occupied  the  mind  of  even  such  a  man  as 
Pliny  without  it.  The  highest  happiness  detailed  in  the  next  chapter 
(xli.)  is  much  below  the  aspiration  of  every  Christian.  —  Wern.  Club. 
VOL.  II.  Q 


226  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VII. 

each  one.  But  what  if  the  Day,  flattered  with  a  white  Stone, 
have  in  it  the  Beginning  of  some  Misfortune  ?  How  many  a 
Man  hath  entered  upon  Empires,  which  have  turned  to  their 
Affliction  ?  How  many  have  lost  their  Goods,  and  at  last 
have  been  brought  to  utter  Ruin  ?  Certainly  these  are  good 
Things  if  a  Man  could  enjoy  them  fully  for  one  Hour.  But 
thus  stands  the  Case,  that  one  Day  is  the  Judge  of  another, 
and  the  last  Day  judgeth  all ;  and  therefore  there  is  no 
trust  to  be  placed  in  them.  To  say  nothing  of  this  :  that  our 
good  Fortunes  are  not  equal  to  our  bad  even  in  Number ; 
nor  is  any  one  Joy  to  be  weighed  against  the  least  of  our 
Sorrows.  Alas  for  our  empty  and  imprudent  Diligence ! 
We  reckon  our  Days  by  Number,  whereas  we  should  esti- 
mate them  by  Weight. 

CHAPTER  XLI. 
Of  the  highest  Happiness. 

LAMPIDO,  a  Lacedaemonian  Lady,  is  the  only  Woman  that 
ever  was  known  to  have  been  the  Daughter  of  a  King,  a 
King's  Wife,  and  the  Mother  of  a  King.  Also,  Pherenice 
alone  was  the  Daughter,  Sister,  and  Mother  of  them  that  won 
the  Victory  at  the  Olympian  Games.  In  one  Family  of  the 
Curiones  there  were  three  Orators,  one  after  another,  by 
descent  from  Father  to  Son.  The  Family  of  the  Fdbii  alone 
afforded  three  Presidents  of  the  Senate  in  succession,  who 
were  M.  Fabius  Ambustus,  Fabius  Rullianus  the  Son,  and 
Q.  Fabius  Gurges  the  Nephew. 

CHAPTER  XLII. 
Examples  of  Change  of  Fortune. 

WE  have  innumerable  other  examples  of  the  variety  of 
Fortune :  for  what  great  Joys  did  she  ever  give,  but  such  as 
sprung  from  some  Evil  ?  Or  what  great  Calamities  that 
have  not  followed  upon  the  highest  Joys? 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  227 

CHAPTER  XLIII. 
Of  one  twice  Proscribed:  of  Q.  Metellus,  and  L.  Sylla. 

M.  PIDUSTIUS,  a  Senator,  having  been  Proscribed  by 
Sylla,  was  preserved  for  six-and-thirty  Years ;  but  he  was 
afterwards  Proscribed  the  second  time :  for  he  outlived  Sylla 
and  continued  to  the  time  of  Antony;  and  it  so  happened 
that  by  him  he  was  Proscribed  again,  for  no  other  reason 
but  because  he  had  been  so  before.  Fortune  was  pleased 
that  P.  Ventidius  alone  should  triumph  over  the  Parthians  : 
but  she  had  led  him,  while  a  Boy,  in  the  Asculan  triumph  of 
Cn.  Pompeius  Strabo  ;  although  Massurius  testifieth,  that  he 
was  so  led  in  triumph  twice.  Cicero  saith,1  that  he  was  at 
first  but  a  Muleteer  to  serve  the  Camp  with  Meal.  Many 
others  affirm  that  in  his  Youth  he  was  a  poor  Soldier,  and 
served  as  a  Footman  in  his  Caliga  (or  Military  Foot  Clothing). 
Balbus  Cornelius  was  also  the  Senior  Consul  :  but  he  had 
been  judicially  accused,  delivered  over  to  the  Counsel  of  the 
Judges,  so  that  the  right  of  the  Rods2  was  on  him.  But  this 
Man  was  the  first  Roman  Consul  of  Foreigners,  and  even  of 
those  born  within  the  Ocean ;  having  attained  to  that  Dig- 
nity, which  our  Forefathers  denied  to  Latium.  Among  the  dis- 
tinguished is  L.  Fulvius,  who  was  Consul  of  the  rebellious  Tus- 
culans  ;  but  when  he  had  passed  over  to  the  Romans,  he  was 
presently  by  the  whole  People  advanced  to  the  same  Honour 
among  them  :  and  he  was  the  only  Man  who  triumphed  at 

1  Epist.  x.  18. 

a  This  "right"  was  according  to  a  law  whose  origin  is  disputed;  but 
it  seems  to  have  been  ancient.  According  to  Dalechampius'  note  on  the 
passage,  no  Roman  citizen  could  be  sentenced  by  the  magistrate  to  the 
rods,  or  be  put  to  death,  for  any  other  crime  than  murder;  and  of 
the  latter  it  was  necessary  that  he  should  be  regularly  convicted.  But  it 
would  appear  that  he  might  be  condemned  to  exile  with  little  ceremony. 
Before  the  passing  of  this  law,  a  Roman  citizen,  as  well  as  a  foreigner,  if 
sentenced  to  death,  was  scourged  as  a  matter  of  course  previous  to  the 
execution  of  the  higher  sentence.  The  tendency  of  this  law  to  confer 
protection  is  seen  in  the  instance  of  St.  Paul,  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  xvi.  37, 
and  xxii.  15.—Wern.  Club. 


228  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VII. 

Rome  over  them  whose  Consul  he  had  been,  even  in  the 
same  Year  in  which  he  was  himself  an  Enemy  in  the  Field. 
L.  Sylla  was  the  only  Man,  until  our  time,  that  challenged 
to  himself  the  surname  of  Felix,1  or  the  Fortunate ;  but  the 
Title  was  adopted  from  shedding  the  Blood  of  Citizens,  and 
by  waging  War  against  his  Country.  And  by  what  argu- 
ments was  grounded  this  good  Fortune  of  his  ?  That,  he  was 
able  to  Proscribe,  and  put  to  Death,  so  many  thousands  of 
the  Citizens?  O  mistaken  interpretation,  and  unhappy  even 
to  future  time !  For  were  not  they  more  blessed,  who  then 
lost  their  Lives,  whose  Death  at  this  day  we  pity,  than  Sylla, 
whom  no  Man  living  at  this  day  doth  not  abhor?  More- 
over, was  not  his  end  more  cruel  than  the  misery  of  all  those 
who  were  Proscribed  by  him  ?  for  his  own  wretched  Body 
consumed  itself,2  and  bred  its  own  torment.  And  although 
we  may  believe  that  he  dissembled  all  this  by  his  last  Dream,3 
wherein  he  lay  as  if  he  were  dead,  upon  which  he  gave  out 
this  Speech,  that  himself  alone  had  overcome  Envy  by  Glory  ; 
yet  in  this  one  thing  he  confessed,  that  his  Felicity  was 
defective,  inasmuch  as  he  had  not  Consecrated  the  Capitol. 
Q.  Metellus,  in  that  Funeral  Oration  which  he  made  in 
commendation  of  L.  Metellus,  his  Father,  left  it  written  of 

1  There  was  scarcely  a  title  more  coveted  by  the  Romans  than  this  of 
Fortunate,  for  they  took  it  to  be  a  decisive  evidence  of  the  ability  which 
had  led  to  success.  Appian  says  that  there  existed  in  front  of  the  Rostra 
in  Rome,  a  golden  equestrian  figure  of  Sylla,  with  the  inscription, 
"  Syllae  Imperat.  fortunate."  But  from  Pliny  we  learn  that  his  cruelty 
had  caused  his  memory  to  be  held  in  little  estimation  by  posterity. — 
Wern.  Club. 

3  The  cause  of  the  death  of  Sylla  is  not  quite  certain.  Appian  (De 
Bell.  Civ.  i.  105)  says  he  died  of  an  attack  of  fever;  while  others  inform 
us  that  the  loathsome  disease  called  phthiriasis  was  the  cause  of  his  death. 
Of  this  latter  opinion  were  Plutarch,  Pliny,  and  Pausanias. — Wern.  Club. 

3  Plutarch  says,  "  Sylla  tells  us,"  in  his  Commentaries,  "  that  the 
Chaldasans  had  predicted,  that  after  a  life  of  glory  he  would  depart  in  the 
height  of  his  prosperity."  He  further  acquaints  us,  that  his  son,  who 
died  a  little  before  Metella,  appeared  to  him  in  a  dream,  dressed  in  a 
mean  garment,  and  desired  him  to  bid  adieu  to  his  cares,  and  go  along 
with  him  to  his  mother  Metella,  with  whom  he  should  live  at  ease,  and 
enjoy  the  charms  of  tranquillity. —  Wern.  dub. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  229 

him,  that  he  had  been  Pontit'ex,  twice  Consul,  Dictator, 
Master  of  the  Horse,  one  of  the  Quindecimvirs  deputed  for 
Division  of  Lands,  and  that  in  the  first  Punic  War  he  led 
many  Elephants  in  triumph  :  moreover,  that  he  had  accom- 
plished ten  of  the  greatest  and  best  Things;  in  seeking  which 
the  Wise  spend  their  whole  time:  for  his  desire  was  to  be 
among  the  foremost  of  Warriors,  an  excellent  Orator,  a  very 
powerful  Commander  (Imperator) ;  to  have  the  conduct  of 
the  most  important  Affairs,  to  be  in  the  highest  place  of 
Honour,  to  be  eminent  for  Wisdom,  to  be  accounted  a  prin- 
cipal Senator,  to  attain  to  great  Wealth  by  good  Means,  to 
leave  many  Children  behind  him,  and  to  be  the  noblest  per- 
sonage in  the  City.  That  these  perfections  fell  to  him,  and 
to  none  but  him  since  the  Foundation  of  Rome,  it  were  long 
and  useless  now  to  confute  :  but  it  is  abundantly  answered 
by  one  instance ;  for  this  same  Metellus  became  Blind  in  his 
old  Age ;  having  lost  his  Eyes  in  a  Fire,  when  he  would  have 
saved  the  Palladium 1  out  of  the  Temple  of  Vesta :  an  act 
worthy  of  being  remembered  ;  but  the  event  was  unhappy. 
In  regard  of  which  it  is  not  proper  to  term  him  Unfortunate 
(Infelix);  and  yet  he  cannot  be  called  Fortunate  (Felix). 
The  People  of  Rome  granted  to  him  a  Privilege,  which  no 
Man  before  him  in  the  World  was  known  to  have :  that  he 
should  be  conveyed  in  a  Chariot  to  the  Senate-house  as  often 
as  he  went  to  sit  at  the  Council:  a  great  and  elevated  Pre- 
rogative, but  it  was  allowed  him  as  a  Compensation  for  his 
Eyes. 

CHAPTER  XLIV. 

Of  another  Metellus. 

A  SON  likewise  of  this  Q.  Metellus,  who  gave  out  those 
Commendations  concerning  his  Father,  is  reckoned  among 

1  It  was  one  of  the  figments  of  Roman  divinity,  that  this  image  of  the 
tutelary  Pallas  had  existed  in  ancient  Troy;  from  whence,  with  ^Eneas, 
it  had  transferred  the  empire  to  the  imperial  city  of  Rome.  A  similar 
image  existed  at  Ephesus  (Acts  of  the  Apostles,  xxix.  35),  and  it  has 
been  supposed  that  the  fall  from  the  sky,  of  at  least  the  materials  of  the 
image,  may  not  have  been  imaginary.  The  descent  of  an  aerolite  was, 
probably,  as  common  in  ancient  times  as  in  modern. —  Warn.  Club, 


230  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VII 

the  most  rare  examples  of  human  Felicity  ;  for  besides  the 
most  honourable  Dignities,  and  the  Surname  of  Macedonicus, 
he  was  borne  to  the  Funeral  Pile  by  four  Sons;  one  being 
the  Praetor,  and  the  other  three  having  been  Consuls :  of 
which  two  had  triumphed,  and  one  had  been  Censor :  which 
remarkable  things  had  happened  to  few.  And  yet  in  the 
very  flower  of  these  Honours,  as  he  was  returning  from  the 
Field,  about  Noon-day,  he  was  seized  by  Catinius  Labeo, 
surnamed  Macerio,  a  Tribune  of  the  Commons,  whom  he  by 
virtue  of  his  Censorship  had  expelled  out  of  the  Senate ;  and 
the  Forum  of  the  Capitol  being  empty,  he  took  him  away  by 
force  to  the  Tarpeian  Rock,  with  an  intention  to  cast  him 
down  headlong.  A  number  came  running  about  him  of  that 
company  which  called  him  Father ;  but,  as  was  unavoidable 
in  so  sudden  a  case,  slowly,  and  as  if  attending  a  Funeral ; 
with  the  absence  also  of  a  right  to  make  Resistance,  and 
repel  the  inviolable  Authority  :  so  that  he  was  likely  to  have 
Perished  even  for  his  Virtue  arid  faithful  Execution  of  his 
Censorship,  if  there  had  not  been  one  Tribune  found,  with 
much  difficulty,  to  step  between  and  oppose  himself;  by 
which  means  he  was  rescued,  even  from  the  utmost  point  of 
Death.  He  lived  afterwards  by  the  liberality  of  other 
Men  :  for  all  his  Goods  from  that  day  forward  wei-e  devoted, 
from  his  Condemnation  :  as  if  he  had  not  suffered  Punish- 
ment enough  to  have  his  Neck  so  writhed,  as  that  the  Blood 
was  squeezed  out  at  his  Ears.  And  truly  I  would  reckon  it 
among  his  Calamities,  that  he  was  an  Enemy  to  the  later 
Africanus,  even  by  the  Testimony  of  Macedonicus  himself. 
These  were  his  words  to  his  Children  :  Go,  my  Sons,  and 
do  honour  to  his  Obsequies ;  for  the  Funeral  of  a  greater 
Citizen  ye  will  never  see.  And  this  he  said  to  them,  when 
they  had  conquered  Crete  and  the  Balearic  Islands,  and  had 
worn  the  Diadem  in  triumph  :  being  himself  already  entitled 
Macedonicus.  But  if  we  consider  that  only  injury  offered  to 
him,  who  can  justly  deem  him  happy,  being  exposed  to  the 
pleasure  of  his  Enemy,  far  inferior  to  Africanus,  and  so  to 
come  to  confusion  ?  What  were  all  his  Victories  to  this  one 
Disgrace?  What  Honours  and  Chariots  did  not  Fortune 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  231 

cast  down  by  her  violence,  when  a  Censor  was  dragged 
through  the  middle  of  the  City  (the  only  way  indeed  to  bring 
him  to  his  Death) ;  dragged  to  the  Capitol  itself,  to  which 
he  had  ascended  triumphant :  but  he  never  so  dragged  along 
those  Captives,  for  whose  Spoils  he  triumphed.  And  this 
Outrage  was  the  greater  in  regard  of  the  Felicity  which 
ensued  ;  considering  that  this  Macedonicus  was  in  danger  to 
have  lost  so  great  an  Honour  as  this  solemn  and  stately 
Sepulture,  in  which  he  was  carried  forth  to  his  Funeral  Fire 
by  his  triumphant  Children,  as  if  he  had  triumphed  again  at 
his  very  burial.  Truly  that  can  be  no  sound  Felicity,  which 
is  interrupted  by  any  Indignity  of  Life,  much  less  by  so  great 
a  one  as  this.  To  conclude,  I  know  not  whether  there  be 
more  cause  to  glory  for  the  modest  carriage  of  Men,  or  to 
grieve  at  the  Indignity,  that  among  so  many  Metelli  so  auda- 
cious a  Villany  as  this  of  Catinius  was  never  revenged. 

CHAPTER  XLV. 
Of  Divus  Augustus.1 

ALSO,  in  Divus  Augustus,  whom  all  the  World  declareth 
to  be  in  this  rank  of  fortunate  Men,  if  we  diligently  consider 
all  things,  we  perceive  great  Changes  of  the  Human  lot 
Driven  by  his  Uncle  from  the  Generalship  of  the  Horse, 
and,  notwithstanding  his  Petition,  seeing  Lepidus  preferred 
to  that  place,  he  laboured  under  the  reproach  of  the  Pro- 
scription ;  and  for  being  one  of  the  Triumvirate,  united  with 
the  most  wicked  Citizens ;  and  this  with  a  less  than  equal 
share  (of  the  Roman  Empire),  for  Antony  obtained  the 
greatest  Portion.  He  was  Sick  at  the  Battle  of  Philippi ; 
his  flight;  and  while  still  Sick,  for  three  Days  his  lying 
hidden  in  a  Marsh ;  so  that  (as  Agrippa  and  Meccenas  con- 
fess), he  grew  into  a  kind  of  Dropsy,  and  his  Sides  were 
distended  with  Water  under  the  Skin ;  his  Shipwreck  in 

1  It  is  a  proof  of  the  imperfect  manner  in  which  history  has  been  gene- 
rally treated,  that  Suetonius  has  written  the  life  of  Augustus  Caesar 
without  the  mention  of  a  great  part  of  these  particulars,  and  of  none  of 
them  in  the  point  of  view  here  given. —  Wern.  Club. 


232  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VII. 

Sicily,  and  there  likewise  he  was  glad  to  remain  concealed  in 
a  Cave  :  then  he  was  put  to  flight  at  Sea,  and  when  the  whole 
power  of  his  Enemies  was  hard  on  him,  he  besought  Pro- 
culeius  to  put  him  to  Death  ;  how  he  was  perplexed  by  the 
Contentions  at  Perusium  ;  the  anxiety  he  was  in  at  the 
Battle  of  Actium,  and  for  the  issue  of  the  Pannonian  War; 
for  the  fall  of  a  Bridge ;  so  many  Mutinies  among  his  Sol- 
diers ;  so  many  dangerous  Diseases  of  his  Body ;  the  sus- 
pected Allegiance  of  Marcellus ;  the  shame  of  Banishing 
Agrippa  ;  his  Life  so  many  times  attempted  by  secret  Plots  ; 
the  suspected  Deaths  of  his  Children ;  the  sad  Afflictions 
thereby ;  and  not  altogether  for  his  Childless  condition  :  the 
Adultery  of  his  Daughter,  and  her  Contrivances  for  taking 
his  Life  away  made  known  to  the  World ;  the  reproachful 
Retreat  of  JVero,  his  Wife's  Son  ;  another  Adultery  com- 
mitted by  one  of  his  Nieces  :  above  all  this,  so  many  united 
Evils,  as  the  want  of  Pay  for  his  Soldiers  ;  the  Rebellion  of 
Illyricum  ;  the  Mustering  of  Slaves;  the  Scarcity  of  Young 
Men  ;  a  Pestilence  in  the  City  ;  Famine  and  Drought  through 
Italy;  a  deliberate  Resolution  of  Dying,  having  to  that  end 
Fasted  four  Days  and  Nights,  and  in  that  time  received  into 
his  Body  the  greater  part  of  his  own  Death.  Besides  these 
things,  the  Slaughter  of  Variuss  Forces,  and  the  foul  stain 
of  his  Honour ;  the  putting  away  of  Posthumus  Agrippa 
after  his  Adoption,  and  the  desire  that  he  had  for  him  after 
his  Banishment ;  then  the  Suspicion  that  he  conceived  of 
Fabius,  and  the  disclosing  of  his  Secrets  ;  and  again  his 
Opinions  concerning  his  Wife  and  Tiberius,  which  surpassed 
all  his  other  Cares.  To  conclude,  that  God,  of  whom  I  do 
not  know  whether  he  rather  obtained  Heaven  than  deserved 
it,  left  behind  him  for  his  Heir  the  Son  of  his  Enemy. 

CHAPTER  XLVI. 
Whom  the  Gods  Judge  the  most  Happy. 

I  CANNOT  pass  over  in  this  Discourse  the  Oracles  of  Del- 
phos,  delivered  from  the  God  to  chastise  the  Folly  of  Men. 
Two  of  them  are  these :  That  P/iedius,  who  but  a  while 


BOOK  V 1 1.]  History  of  Nature.  233 

before  Died  for  his  Country,  was  the  most  Happy.  Again, 
being  consulted  by  Gyges,  the  most  sumptuous  King  in  all 
the  Earth,  the  answer  was,  that  Aglaus  Psoplddius  was  the 
more  Happy.  This  Aglaus  was  a  Man  somewhat  advanced 
in  Years,  dwelling  in  a  very  narrow  corner  of  Arcadia, 
where  he  had  a  little  Estate,  which  himself  cultivated  ;  and 
it  was  sufficient  with  its  yearly  Produce  to  Support  him 
plentifully  ;  out  of  it  he  never  went :  so  that  (as  appeared  by 
his  course  of  Life,)  as  he  coveted  very  little,  so  he  expe- 
rienced as  little  Trouble  while  he  Lived. 

CHAPTER  XLVII. 

Whom,  while  Living,  they  ordered  to  be  Worshipped 
as  a  God.1 

BY  the  appointment  of  the  same  Oracle,  and  by  the 
approbation  of  Jupiter,  the  Sovereign  of  the  Gods,  Euthymus 
the  Wrestler,  who  always  was  Conqueror  at  Olympia,  except 
once,  was  Consecrated  a  God  while  he  lived,  and  knew  of  it ; 
he  was  born  at  Locri,  in  Italy,  where  one  Statue  of  his,  as 
also  another  at  Olympia,  were  both  on  one  Day  struck  with 
Lightning :  which  I  see  Callimachus  wondered  at,  as  if 
nothing  else  were  worthy  of  Admiration  ;  and  gave  order 
that  he  should  be  Sacrificed  to,  as  to  a  God  :  which  was  per- 
formed accordingly,  both  while  he  Lived  and  after  he  was 
Dead.  A  thing  that  I  wonder  at  more  than  at  any  thing 
else :  that  the  Gods  should  have  been  pleased  with  such 
a  thing. 

1  It  was  scarcely  more  reasonable  to  worship  a  man  after  he  was  dead 
than  during  his  life ;  and  yet  Pliny  must  have  joined  in  the  worship  of 
Augustus  and  Julius  Caesar,  and  have  been  conscious,  as  appears  from 
several  places  of  his  writings,  that  the  greatest  gods  of  his  country  had 
formerly  been  living  men.  The  egregious  vanity  of  desiring  to  be  sup- 
posed a  god  was  felt  by  Alexander  the  Great,  to  whose  applicatio'n  for 
recognition  in  this  character  the  Lacedaemonians  replied  by  an  edict,  that 
"  If  Alexander  wished  to  be  a  god,  he  might  be  a  god."  Pliny  lived  to 
see  the  brother  of  his  patron  Titus,  Domitian,  exemplify  the  absurdity  of 
which  he  complains ;  for  it  appears  that  the  latter  emperor  was  more  than 
ordinarily  fond  of  this  assumption  of  divinity.—  Wern.  Club. 


234  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VII. 

CHAPTER  XLVIII. 
Of  the  longest  Extent  of  Life. 

THE  extent  and  duration  of  Man's  Life  are  rendered 
uncertain,  not  only  by  the  Situation  of  Places,  but  also  from 
Examples,  and  the  peculiar  lot  of  his  Nativity.  Hesiod, 
the  first  Writer  who  has  treated  on  this  Subject,  in  his  Fabu- 
lous Discourse  (as  I  regard  it),  embracing  many  things  about 
the  Age  of  Man,  saith  that  a  Crow  lives  nine  times  as  long 
as  we ;  the  Stags  four  times  as  long  as  the  Crow ;  and  the 
Ravens  thrice  as  long  as  they.  And  his  other  remarks  about 
the  Nymphs  and  the  Phrenix  are  still  more  Fabulous.  Ana- 
creon  the  Poet,  assigneth  to  Arganthonius,  King  of  the 
Tartessi,  150  Years  :  and  to  Cyniras,  King  of  the  Cypri,  ten 
Years  longer :  to  <3Zgimius,  200.  Theopompus  affirmeth.  that 
Epimenides,  the  Gnossian,  died  when  he  was  157  Years  old. 
Hellanicus  hath  Written,  that  among  the  Epii,  in  ^Etolia, 
there  are  some  who  continue  full  200  Years :  and  with  him 
agreeth  Damastes ;  adding  also,  that  there  was  one  Pic- 
toreus  among  them,  a  Man  of  exceeding  Stature,  and  very 
Strong,  who  lived  even  to  300  Years.  Ephorus  saith,  that 
the  Kings  of  Arcadia  usually  lived  to  300  Years.  Alexander 
Cornelius  writeth  of  one  Dando  in  Illyrica,  who  lived  500 
Years.  Xenophon  in  his  "  Periplus,"  niaketh  mention  of  a 
King  of  a  People  upon  the  Sea-coasts,  who  lived  600  Years  : 
and  as  if  he  had  not  lied  enough  already,  he  saith,  that  his 
Son  came  to  800.  All  these  strange  reports  proceed  from 
ignorance  of  the  times  past,  for  some  reckoned  the  Summer 
for  one  Year,  and  the  Winter  for  another.  Others  reckoned 
every  Quarter  for  a  Year,  as  the  Arcadians,  whose  Year  was 
but  three  Months.  Some,  as  the  Egyptians,  count  every 
change  of  the  Moon  for  a  Year ;  and  therefore  some  of  them 
are  reported  to  have  lived  1000  Years.  But  to  pass  to 
things  acknowledged  as  true,  it  is  almost  certain,  that  Argan- 
tltonius,  King  of  Calais,  reigned  80  Years ;  and  it  is  supposed 
that  he  was  40  Years  old  when  he  began  to  Reign.  It  is 
undoubted,  that  Masanissa  reigned  60  Years;  and  also  that 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  235 

Gorgias  the  Sicilian  lived  108  Years.  Q.  Fabius  Maximus 
continued  Augur  for  63  Years.  M.  Perpenna,  and  of  late, 
L.  Volusius  Saturninus,  out-lived  all  those  Senators  who 
had  sat  in  Council  with  them  when  they  were  Consuls. 
Perpenna  left  but  seven  of  those  Senators  alive  whom  he 
had  chosen  in  his  Censorship  ;  and  he  lived  himself  98 
Years.  Where,  by  the  way,  one  thing  cometh  to  my  Mind 
worth  the  noting :  that  there  was  one  Space  of  five  Years, 
and  never  but  one,  in  which  not  one  Senator  died  ;  and  that 
was  from  the  time  that  Flaccus  and  Albinus  the  Censors 
finished  their  Lustrum,  to  the  coming  in  of  the  next  Censors ; 
which  was  from  the  Year  after  the  Foundation  of  the  City, 
579.  M.  Valerius  Corvinus  lived  100  Years  complete;  and 
between  his  first  Consulate  and  his  sixth,  were  46  Years. 
He  took  his  Seat  on  the  Curule  Chair  21  Times  ;  and  no 
Man  ever  besides  him  so  often.  Metellus  the  Pontifex  lived 
full  as  long  as  he. 

To  come  now  to  Women :  Lima  the  Wife  of  Rutilius 
lived  more  than  97  Years.  Statilia,  a  noble  Lady,  in  the 
Time  of  Claudius  the  Prince,  was  99  Years  of  Age  :  Cicero's 
Wife,  Terentia,  was  103  Years  old  :  Clodia,  Wife  to  Osilius, 
saw  1 15  Years  ;  and  she  had  15  Children.  Luceia,  a  Comic 
Actress,  appeared  on  the  Stage  for  100  Years.  Galeria 
Copiola,  a  Mimic  Actress,  was  brought  again  upon  the 
Stage  when  Cn.  Pompeius  and  Q.  Sulpitius  were  Consuls,  at 
the  solemn  Plays  vowed  for  the  Health  of  Divus  Augustus, 
when  she  was  in  the  1 04th  Year  of  her  Age :  the  first  Time 
that  she  entered  on  the  Stage  was  91  Years  before,  when 
she  was  brought  thither  by  M.  Pomponius,  ^Edile  of  the 
Commons,  in  the  Year  that  C.  Marius  and  Cn.  Carbo  were 
Consuls  ;  and  once  again  Pompey  the  Great,  at  the  dedica- 
tion of  his  great  Theatre,  returned  the  old  Woman  to  the 
Stage  for  the  wonder  of  the  thing.  Also  Asconius  Peedi- 
anus  writeth,  that  Samula  lived  110  Years;  and  therefore  I 
wonder  the  less  that  Stephanie  (who  was  the  first  of  the 
Long  Robe  who  appointed  Dancing)  danced  in  both  the 
Secular  Games,  as  well  those  that  were  set  out  by  Divus 
Augustus,  as  those  which  Claudius  Ccesar  exhibited  in  his 


236  History  of  Nature.  [  BOOK  VII. 

fourth  Consulship  ;  considering  that  between  the  one  and 
the  other  there  were  but  63  Years ;  and  yet  Stephanie  lived 
for  a  considerable  Time  after.  Mutianus  witnesseth,  that  in 
Tempsis,  which  is  the  Crest  of  the  Mountain  Tmolus,  People 
lived  150  Years.  At  that  Age,  T.  Fullonius,  of  Bononia, 
entered  his  Name  in  the  Census  at  the  Time  that  Claudius 
Ccesar  held  the  Registry  ;  and  that  he  was  so  old  indeed, 
appeared  by  comparing  together  several  Registries  that  he 
had  before  made,  as  also  by  circumstances  that  had  occurred 
in  his  Lifetime ;  for  the  Emperor  took  care  in  that  way  to 
find  out  the  Truth.1 

CHAPTER  XLIX. 
Of  Differences  in  the  Nativities. 

THIS  Point  would  require  the  Advice  of  the  Science  of 
the  Stars;  for  Epigenes  saith,  that  it  is  not  possible  for  a 
Man  to  live  a  hundred  and  twenty-two  Years ;  and  Berosus 
is  of  opinion,  that  one  cannot  pass  an  hundred  and  seven- 
teen. That  Calculation  holdeth  good  which  Petosiris  and 
Necepsos  have  delivered,  and  which  they  call  Tetartemorion, 
from  a  portion  of  three  Signs;  according  to  which  account  it 

1  The  length  of  life  detailed  in  the  Mosaic  records  was  unknown  to 
the  Greeks,  who  had  only  retained  an  obscure  traditionary  remembrance 
of  it,  and  of  the  great  stature  and  strength  with  which  it  was  supposed  to 
be  accompanied.  But  that  Pliny's  mode  of  interpreting  it,  by  a  peculiar 
method  of  explaining  the  length  of  the  year,  will  not  apply  to  the  narra- 
tive in  the  Book  of  Genesis,  appears  from  the  fact  that  the  same  history 
records  the  reduction  of  the  length  of  human  life,  by  sudden  transitions, 
to  at  last  threescore  and  ten  years,  which  we  are  compelled  to  measure 
by  the  same  scale  as  the  former. 

As  a  general  summary  of  the  duration  of  life  in  historical  times,  the 
"  History  of  Life  and  Death,"  by  Lord  Bacon,  may  be  consulted.  Fuller 
mentions  James  Sands,  of  Horborne  in  Staffordshire,  who  lived  140 
years,  and  his  wife  120.  The  Countess  of  Desmond,  known  to  Sir  W 
llawleigh,  lived  to  about  140  years,  and  had  new  teeth  three  several 
times.  Thomas  Parr  was  born  in  1483;  married  at  the  age  of  eighty, 
and  in  the  space  of  thirty-two  years  had  only  two  children.  At  the  age 
of  120  he  had  another  child,  and  died  aged  150  years.—  Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  237 

is  evident,  that  in  the  Tract  of  Italy,  Men  may  reach  to  a 
hundred  and  twenty-six  Years.  They  denied  that  a  Man 
could  possibly  pass  the  ascendant  Space  of  90  Degrees 
(which  they  call  Anaphoras) ;  and  that  even  these  are  cut 
short,  either  by  the  encounter  of  malevolent  Planets,  or  by 
the  radiations  of  them  or  the  Sun.  Again,  the  Sect  of  Ascle- 
piades1  affirm,  that  the  appointed  Length  of  Life  proceedeth 
from  the  Stars  ;  but  concerning  the  utmost  term,  it  is  uncer- 
tain. But  they  say,  that  the  longer  Ages  are  Rare,  because 
the  greatest  Number  by  far  have  their  Nativity  at  the 
marked  Moments  of  the  Hours  of  the  Moon,  or  of  Days 
according  to  the  Number  of  Seven  or  Nine  (which  are 
Daily  and  Nightly  observed) :  by  the  gradual  declining  Law 
of  the  Years,  called  Climacteric,2  and  such  as  are  so  Born 
scarcely  exceed  the  fifty-fourth  Year.  But  here,  first,  the 
Uncertainty  of  the  Art  itself  declareth  how  doubtful  this 
matter  is.  To  this  are  added  the  Observations  and  Instances 
of  the  very  recent  Census,  which  within  the  Space  of  four 
Years,  the  Imperators,  Caesars,  Vespasians,  Father  and 
Son,  Censors,  have  accomplished.  And  here  we  need  not 
search  every  Cupboard,  we  will  only  set  down  the  examples 
of  the  middle  part,  between  the  Apennine  and  the  Po.  At 
Parma,  three  Men  were  found  of  the  Age  of  a  hundred  and 

1  In  book  xxvi.  c.  3,  Pliny  gives  a  more  precise,  and  not  very  com- 
plimentary, account  of  this  physician. —  Wern.  Club. 

2  A  large  portion  of  the  physiological  learning  of  ancient  physicians 
consisted  in  the  arithmetical  calculation  of  types  and  periods  of  vital  and 
diseased  actions ;  in  connexion  with  which  they  also  arranged  the  motions 
of  the  celestial  bodies  and  their  influences.     It  thus  became  necessary, 
that  he  who  was  a  physician  in  the  modern  meaning  of  the  word  should 
also  be  able  to  interpret  the  stars,  and  to  apply  mathematical  reasoning 
to    the  laws   of  health   and  disease.     The   calculation  of  climacterical 
years,  and  the  ultimate  duration  of  human  life,  were  thus  decided  by  a 
combination  of  intricate  mathematical  probabilities.     These  climacteric 
years  were  formed  on  the  multiplication  of  the  number  seven  by  the 
unit  numbers,  and  at  them  the  most  important  of  the  periodic  changes 
of  the  body  were  accomplished.     The  highest  number  thus  multiplied 
formed  the  grand  climacteric,  after  which  the  changes  produced  a  retro- 
gression towards  feebleness  and  decay;  the  danger  of  which  was  ever 
greatest  at  the  climacterics.     See  bookii.  c.  52. —  Wern.  Club. 


238  History  of  Nature,  [BooK  VII. 

twenty  Years:  at  Brixelus,  one  that  was  a  hundred  and 
twenty-five  Years;  at  Parma,  two  of  a  hundred  and  thirty 
Years ;  at  Placentia,  one  of  a  hundred  and  thirty-one ;  at 
Faventia,  there  was  one  Woman  a  hundred  and  thirty-two 
Years  old  ;  at  Bonona,  L.  Terentius,  the  Son  of  Marcus,  and 
at  Ariminum  M.  Aponius,  were  a  hundred  and  fifty. 
Tertulla  was  a  hundred  and  thirty-seven.  About  Placentia 
there  is  a  Town  on  the  Hills,  named  Velleiacium,  in  which 
six  Men  brought  a  Certificate  that  they  had  lived  a  hundred 
and  ten  Years  ;  four  likewise  brought  one  of  about  a  hundred 
Years  ;  one  of  a  hundred  and  forty,1  namely  M.  Mutius, 
son  of  Marcus  surnamed  Galerius  Felix.  But  because  we 
will  not  dwell  long  in  a  matter  so  commonly  allowed,  in  the 
eighth  Region  of  Italy  there  were  found  in  the  Roll  fifty- 
four  Persons  of  one  hundred  Years  of  Age  ;  fifty-seven  of  a 
hundred  and  ten  ;  two,  of  a  hundred  and  twenty-five ;  four, 
of  a  hundred  and  thirty ;  as  many  that  were  a  hundred  and 
thirty-five,  or  a  hundred  and  thirty-seven  Years  ;  and  three 
Men  of  a  hundred  and  forty.  Another  inconstant  variety  in 
mortal  Men :  Homer  reporteth,  that  Hector  and  Polydamas 
were  born  in  one  Night,  though  Men  of  such  a  different 
Fortune.  While  C.  Marius  was  Consul,  and  Cn.  Carbo  with 
him,  who  had  been  twice  before  Consul,  the  fifth  Day  before 
the  Calends  of  June,  M.  Ccecilius  Ruffus  and  C.  Licinius 
Calvus  were  born  on  the  same  Day  ;  and  both  of  them 
indeed  were  Orators :  but  their  fate  was  very  different. 
And  this  is  seen  daily  to  happen  throughout  the  World,  that 
among  those  born  in  one  Hour  some  are  Kings,  and  others 
Beggars,  some  Lords  and  others  Slaves. 

CHAPTER  L. 
Various  Examples  of  Diseases. 

PUB.  CORNELIUS  RUFUS,  who  was  Consul  with  M. 
Curius,  dreamed  that  he  had  Lost  his  Sight ;  and  so  it  proved 
when  he  awoke.  On  the  other  Hand,  Phalereus  being  given 

1  Dr.  Holland  seems  to  have  read  "  one  hundred  and  fourteen."— 
Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  239 

over  by  the  Physicians  for  the  Disease  of  Vomica,  being 
stabbed  in  his  Breast,  found  a  Remedy  in  his  Enemy.  Q. 
Fdbius  Maximus,  Consul,  engaging  in  a  Battle  with  the  Nations 
of  the  Allobroges  and  Averni,  near  the  River  Isara,  on  the 
sixth  Day  before  the  Ides  of  August ;  in  which  double 
action  he  Slew  of  his  Enemies  13,000 ;  he  was  in  the  Contest 
delivered  from  his  Fever.  This  gift  of  Nature,  truly,  what- 
ever is  bestowed  on  us,  is  frail  and  uncertain  :  and  in  those 
in  whom  it  exists  in  the  largest  Measure,  it  is  but  short  and 
evil  if  we  consider  the  whole  Course  of  it  from  Beginning  to 
End.  Because  if  we  count  our  repose  by  Night,  a  Man 
may  be  truly  said  to  live  but  one  half  of  his  Life ;  for  that 
Half  of  it  which  is  spent  in  Sleep  may  be  compared  to  Death  ; 
and  if  he  cannot  Sleep,  it  is  a  Punishment.  Nor  are  the 
Years  of  our  Infancy  to  be  reckoned,  for  this  Age  is  void  of 
Sense;  nor  those  of  old  Age,  which  is  the  punishment  of  a 
disposition  to  live.  What  shall  I  speak  of  so  many  kinds  of 
Dangers,  so  many  Diseases,  so  many  Fears,  so  many  Cares, 
so  many  Prayers  for  Death,  that  we  Pray  for  nothing  more 
frequently  ?  and  therefore  Nature  knoweth  not  what  better 
thing  to  give  a  Man,  than  short  Life.  The  Senses1  become 
dull,  the  Members  grow  benumbed,  the  Eye-sight  decayeth 
betimes,  the  Hearing  followeth,  then  the  Supporters,  the 
Teeth  also,  and  the  very  Instruments  that  serve  for  our 
Food  ;  and  yet  all  this  Time  is  counted  a  Part  of  our  Life. 
And  therefore  it  is  taken  for  a  wonderful  example,  and  that 
to  which  we  cannot  find  a  fellow,  that  Xenophilus  the  Musi- 
cian lived  105  Years,  without  any  inconveniency  in  all  his 
Body.  But  all  other  Men,  by  Hercules!  are  vexed  at  certain 
Hours,  as  no  other  Creatures  are  besides,  with  pestiferous 
Heat  and  Cold  in  every  part  of  their  Members ;  which  go 

1  How  remarkably  does  this  enumeration  of  the  signs  and  evils  of 
age  correspond  with  the  more  poetical  representation  of  the  same  condi- 
tion by  Solomon,  in  the  last  chapter  of  the  Book  of  Ecclesiastes ! 
Cicero,  in  his  "  Cato,"  laments  the  ills  of  age  as  more  weighty  than  JEtna ; 
and  others  of  the  wisest  heathens  join  in  the  lamentation ;  which  ceases 
to  surprise  us  when  we  reflect  that  they  were  destitute  of  a  hope  in  the 
future.—  Wern.  Club. 


240  History  of  Nature.  [ BOOK  VII. 

and  come,  not  for  certain  Hours  only,  but  by  Day  and  by 
Night  :  one  while  every  Third,  and  at  others  every  Fourth 
Day  and  Night,  even  through  the  whole  Year.  And  it  is 
some  sort  of  Disease  to  die  through  wisdom,  for  Nature 
hath  set  down  certain  Laws,  even  to  Diseases ;  as  that  the 
circle  of  a  Quartan  Fever  never  beginneth  in  the  shortest 
Days  of  the  Year,  neither  in  the  Months  of  Winter;  that 
some  Diseases  are  not  incident  to  those  that  are  above  Sixty 
Years  of  Age  ;  that  others  again  pass  away  when  young 
People  come  to  the  Age  of  Puberty  ;  and  especially  this  is 
observed  in  young  Women.  Old  People  are  the  least  liable 
to  take  the  Plague.  Also  there  are  Sicknesses  that  follow 
particular  Regions,  affecting  the  Inhabitants  generally 
therein.  There  are  some  again  that  take  hold  of  Servants 
only  ;  others  touch  the  highest  Persons  alone  :  and  so  from 
degree  to  degree.  But  in  this  Place  it  is  to  be  observed,  that 
a  Pestilence  beginneth  in  the  South  parts,  and  always  goeth 
toward  the  West ;  and  it  scarcely  ever  doeth  otherwise, 
except  in  Winter,  and  then  it  doth  not  exceed  three 
Months.1 

CHAPTER  LI. 
Of  the  Signs  of  Death* 

Now  let  us  take  a  View  of  the  fatal  Signs  in  Sickness 
In  the  Disease  of  Fury  (Madness),  to  Laugh  is  such  a  Sign  : 
In  the  Sickness  of  Wisdom  (Frenzy),  to  have  a  care  of 
the  Fringes  of  their  Garments  and  Bedclothes,  to  smoothe 
them  down  ;  the  neglect  of  such  things  as  would  prevent 
their  Sleep;  the  apologising  letting  go  of  their  Water.  It 

1  This  remark  has  been  already  referred  to  c.  37,  p.  221 ;  and  it  is  the 
more  worthy  of  notice,  since  there  is  reason  to  believe  that  all  the  epidemics 
which  have  traversed  Europe  since  the  time  when  Pliny  wrote  have 
conformed  to  the  same  rule. —  Wern.  Club. 

2  Celsus  considers  this  subject,  book  ii.  c.  6,  and  the  medical  nature 
and  treatment  of  insanity,  book  iii.  c.  18.      Byfuroris  morbus  (madness 
or  mania),  and  sapientice  cegritudine  (frenzy),    he  seems   to   mean,   the 
former,  insanity  of  the  passions ;  and  the  latter,  insanity  of  the  under- 
standing.— Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VII.]     .  History  of  Nature.  241 

may  also  he  certainly  seen  in  the  aspect  of  the  Kyes  and 
Nose,  as  also  in  the  manner  of  lying  always  upon  the  Back 
supine:  also  by  the  unequal  stroke  of  the  Veins,  as  if  an 
Ant  crept  under  it,  with  other  Signs  which  Hippocrates,  the 
prince  of  Medicine,  hath  observed.  And  whilst  there  are 
innumerable  Signs  that  presage  Death,  there  is  not  one  that 
can  assure  a  Man  certainly  of  Life  and  Health.  For  Cato1 
the  Censor,  writing  to  his  Son  concerning  robust  Health, 
hath  delivered  from  some  Oracle,  that  Youth  resembling 
Age  is  a  Sign  of  untimely  Death.  Diseases  are  so  innu- 
merable, that  Pherecydes,  of  the  Island  of  Syros,  died  of  a 
great  quantity  of  Creepers2  bursting  out  of  his  Body.  Some 
are  never  free  of  a  Fever,  as  C.  Meccenas.  The  same  Man, 
for  tbree  whole  Years  before  he  died,  never  was  asleep  for 
a  single  Minute.  Antipater  Sidonius  the  Poet,  once  a  year 
during  his  Life  was  seized  with  an  Ague-fit  upon  his  Birth- 
day only,  and  at  last  he  died  in  such  a  Fit  in  a  good 
old  Age. 

CHAPTER  LII. 

Of  such  as  were  carried  forth  to  their  Funeral  and  revived, 
ay  ain. 

A.  VIOLA,  who  had  been  Consul,  came  to  himself  when 
he  was  on  the  Funeral  Pile ;  but  because  the  Flame  was  so 
Strong  that  he  could  not  be  got  away,  he  was  burnt  alive. 

1  Cato's  knowledge  of  medical  subjects  may  be  judged  of  from  the 
specimens  of  miserable  quackery  contained  in  his  "  Treatise  on  Agricul- 
ture." Much  of  it  consisted  of  charms,  in  unintelligible  jargon. — 
Wern.  Club. 

'*  Pliny  sometimes  employs  unusual  words  to  express  plain  and  com- 
mon things;  or  he  may  have  adopted  the  term  to  avoid  what  among 
polite  people  would  have  excited  loathing.  For  the  same  reason  another 
author  speaks  of  the  same  creatures  under  the  name  of  animalia  tctra,  or 
foul  creatures.  It  was  the  disease  which  afflicted  Herod,  Acts  of  the 
Apostles,  xii.  23;  and  in  modern  times  Dr.  Heberden  records  a  case, 
"  Commentaries,"  c.  Ixxi :  but  it  is  not  certain  that  they  are  of  the  same 
species  as  that  which  commonly  attacks  the  human  body.  The  fate  of 
Sylla,  from  the  same  cause,  is  referred  to  in  the  4-'5d  chapter  of  this  Book. 
—  Wern.  CMi. 

VOL.  If.  R 


242  History  of  Nature  [BooK  VII. 

The  like  accident  is  reported  to  have  befallen  Lit.  Lamia, 
of  Praetorian  rank.  That  C.  ^Elius  Tubero,  who  had  been 
Praetor,  was  brought  Alive  again  from  the  Funeral  Fire, 
Messala  Rufus  and  many  others  assert.  Such  is  the  condi- 
tion of  Mortal  Men  ;  and  to  this  kind  of  Fortune,  and  such 
as  this,  are  we  born  :  so  that  in  the  case  of  Man  there  is 
no  assurance,  no,  not  even  in  his  Death.  We  read  in 
Chronicles,  that  the  Soul  of  Hermotimus  Clazomenius  was 
accustomed  to  leave  his  Body,  and  wandering  to  a  great 
distance,  brought  him  backs  News  of  such  things  as  could 
not  possibly  have  been  known  unless  it  had  been  present 
there ;  and  all  the  while  his  Body  lay  half  Dead.  This 
manner  he  continued,  until  the  Cantharidae,  who  were  his 
Enemies,  took  his  Body  and  burnt  it  to  Ashes;  and  by  that, 
means  disappointed  his  Soul  when  it  came  back  again  to 
its  Sheath.  Also  it  is  said,  that  the  Spirit  of  Aristteas  in 
Proconnesus  was  seen  to  fly  out  of  his  Mouth  in  the  form 
of  a  Raven ;  and  many  an  empty  Tale  followeth  thereon  : 
for  surely  I  take  it  to  be  no  better  than  a  Fable,  which  is  in 
like  manner  reported  of  Epimenides  the  Gnossian,  that,  when 
he  was  a  Boy,  and  wearied  with  Heat  and  Travel,  he  laid 
himself  down  in  a  Cave,  and  there  slept  for  57  Years.1  At 
length  he  awoke,  as  if  on  the  very  next  Morning,  and  won- 
dered at  the  changed  face  of  every  thing  he  saw.  Hence  in  an 
equal  number  of  Days  after,  he  grew  Old,  that  at  last  he  lived 
to  the  Age  of  175  Years.  Women,  by  reason  of  their  Sex,  are 
most  subject  to  this,  danger,2  by  the  turning  of  the  Womb  ; 
which,  if  it  be  corrected,  they  soon  recover.  To  this  belongs 
that  noble  Volume  among  the  Greeks  written  by  Heraclides, 
where  he  writeth  of  a  Woman  that  for  seven  Days  lay  as 
Dead,  but  who  in  the  end  was  restored  to  Life.  Also  Varro 
reporteth,  that  when  the  twenty  Men  were  dividing  Lands 

1  Gibbon  refers  to  a  similar  story,  which  was  widely  believed,  in  the 
fifth  century  of  Christianity  ("  Decline  and  Fall,"  c.  xxxiii.) ;  but  he  seems 
not  to  have  been  aware  of  this  more  ancient,  and  perhaps  original,  narra- 
tive of  a  similar  event. —  Wern.  Club. 

2  That  is,  of  the  suspension  of  animation,  one  of  the  symptoms  of 
Hysteria. —  Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  243 

at  Capua,  there  was  one  carried  forth  on  his  Bier  who  came 
home  again  upon  his  Feet.  Also,  that  the  like  happened  at 
Aquinum.  Likewise,  that  in  Rome  one  Corfidius,  who  had 
married  his  own  Aunt  by  the  Mother's  side,  after  his 
Funeral  had  been  set  in  order,  revived  again ;  and  the 
Orderer  of  his  Funeral  was  by  him  carried  out  to  the 
same.  Varro  also  addeth  some  surprising-  things,  which 
are  worth  the  rehearsal  at  large.  There  were  two  Brethren 
of  the  Equestrian  order,  of  whom  the  elder,  named  Corfidius, 
happened  in  all  appearance  to  die ;  and  when  his  last  Will 
was  opened,  the  younger  Brother,  who  was  appointed  his 
Heir,  gave  orders  for  his  Funeral.  In  the  meanwhile  the 
Man  that  seemed  Dead,  by  clapping  one  Hand  against  the 
other,1  raised  the  Servants  in  the  House ;  and  he  recounted 
to  them  that  he  was  come  from  his  younger  Brother,  who 
had  recommended  his  Daughter  to  him  ;  and,  moreover,  that 
he  had  shewed  to  him  in  what  place  he  had  buried  his 
Gold,  without  the  knowledge  of  any  Man  :  requesting  him 
also  to  employ  that  Provision  which  he  had  prepared  for 
him  about  his  own  Funeral.  As  he  was  relating  this  matter, 
his  Brother's  domestic  Servants  came  in  great  haste  to  the 
House,  and  brought  word  that,  their  Master  was  dead ;  and 
the  Gold  was  found  in  the  place  he  had  pointed  out.  And 
truly  life  is  full  of  these  Divinations ;  but  they  are  not  to  be 
compared  with  these,  as  for  the  most  part  they  are  mere 
lies,  as  we  will  prove  by  one  notable  example :  in  the 
Sicilian  War,  Gabienus,  one  of  the  bravest  Officers  of 
CfBsars  Fleet,  was  taken  prisoner  by  Sex.  Pompey,  and  by 
commandment  from  him  his  Head  was  almost  stricken  off, 
so  that  it  scarcely  hung  to  the  Neck  by  the  Skin,  and  in  this 
condition  he  lay  all  day  on  the  Shore.  When  it  grew 
toward  the  Evening,  and  a  Company  were  flocked  about 
him,  with  a  groan  and  prayers  he  requested  that  Pompey 
would  come  to  him,  or  at  least  send  some  one  of  those  who 


1  Clapping  the  hands  together  appears  to  have  been  an  ordinary 
method  of  summoning  the  attendants  before  bells  came  into  use  for  that 
purpose. —  Wern.  Club. 


244  History  of  Nature.  [ BOOK  VII. 

were  dear  to  him,  because  he  was  sent  back  from  the  Lower 
Regions,  and  had  a  Message  to  deliver  to  him.  Then  Pompey 
sent  several  of  his  friends,  to  whom  Gabienus  related  that 
the  Infernal  Gods  were  well  pleased  with  the  Cause  and 
pious  Dispositions  of  Pompey,  and  therefore  he  should  have 
as  good  an  issue  of  it  as  he  could  wish.  Thus  much,  he  said, 
he  was  commanded  to  deliver  ;  and  as  a  proof  of  the  truth, 
so  soon  as  he  had  done  his  errand  he  would  immediately 
expire  :  and  so  it  came  to  pass.  Histories  also  make  men- 
tion of  them  who  have  appeared  after  they  were  committed 
to  Earth.  But  our  purpose  is  to  write  of  Nature's  works, 
and  not  to  prosecute  such  Prodigious  Matters. 

CHAPTER  LIII. 
Of  Sudden  Deaths. 

BUT  among  the  principal  things  is  sudden  Death,  which 
is  the  greatest  Felicity  of  Life ;  many  examples  of  which  we 
have,  that  always  seem  strange,  although  they  are  common, 
and  as  we  shall  shew,  natural.  Verrius  hath  set  forth  many, 
but  we  will  make  choice  among  them  all.  Besides  C/iilo/i, 
of  whom  we  have  spoken  before,  there  died  suddenly  for  Joy 
Sophocles  the  Poet,  and  Dionysius  the  Tyrant  of  Sicily  : 
both  of  them,  on  Tidings  brought  to  them  that  they  had  won 
the  best  Prize  among  the  Tragic  Poets.  Presently  after  the 
famous  battle  of  Canna3,  a  Mother  died  immediately  on  the 
sight  of  her  Son  unhurt,  whom  by  a  false  Message  she  had 
heard  to  have  been  Slain.  Diodorus,  a  Professor  of  Dialectic 
Learning,  for  shame  that  he  could  not  readily  resolve  a  fri- 
volous Question  at  the  demand  of  Stilbo,  sunk  away  without 
recovery.  Without  any  apparent  cause  some  have  died, 
particularly  two  of  the  Ccesars ;  the  one  a  Praetor  :  the  other 
who  had  borne  that  Dignify,  the  Father  of  Ccesar  the  Dic- 
tator :  both  of  them  in  the  Morning  when  they  were  putting 
on  their  Shoes,  the  one  at  Pisa,  the  former  at  Rome. 
Q.  Fabius  Maximvs  in  his  very  Consulship,  upon  the  last 
Day  of  December;  in  whose  place  llebilus  made  suit  to  be 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  245 

Consul  for  a  very  few  Hours.1  Also,  C.  Vulcatius  Guryes,  a 
Senator:  all  of  them  in  such  sound  and  perfect  Health,  that 
they  expected  to  live  Long.  Q.  JEmilius  Lepidus,  even  as  he 
was  going  out  of  his  Bed-chamber,  hit  his  great  Toe  against 
the  Door-post  and  died  from  it.  C.  Aufdius  was  going 
out  of  his  House,  on  his  way  to  the  Senate,  and  stumbled 
with  his  Foot  in  the  Comitium.  The  Ambassador  of  the 
Rhodians  also,  who  had  to  the  great  admiration  of  all  that 
were  present  pleaded  their  cause  before  the  Senate,  in  the 
very  entry  of  the  Counsel-house,  as  he  was  going  out,  fell 
down  Dead.  C'n.  Bcebius  Pampkilus,  who  had  been  Prsetor, 
died  suddenly  as  he  was  asking  a  Boy  what  it  was  o'clock. 
A.  Pompeius,  so  soon  as  he  had  worshipped  the  Gods  in  the 
Capitol ;  M.  Juventius  Talva,  the  Consul,  as  he  was  sacri- 
ficing ;  Caius  Servilius  Pansa,  as  he  stood  at  a  Shop  in  the 
Forum,  at  the  second  Hour  of  the  Day,  leaning  on  his 
Brother,  P.  Pansa;  Bcebius,  the  Judge,  as  he  was  adjourning 
an  Appearance  in  the  Court ;  M.  Terentius  Corax,  while  he 
was  writing  Letters  in  the  Forum  ;  no  longer  since  than  last 
Year  a  Knight  of  Rome,  as  he  was  talking  in  the  Ear  of  one 
who  had  been  Consul,  before  the  Ivory  Statue  of  Apollo, 
which  is  in  the  Forum  of  Augustus:  but  above  all  others, 
C.  Julius,  a  Physician,  as  he  was  dressing  an  Eye  with 
Ointment,  and  drawing  the  Surgical  Instrument  along  the 
Eye  ;  also  L.  Manlius  Torquatus,  a  Consular  Man,  when  at 
Supper  he  reached  for  a  Cake  ;  L.  Durius  Valla,  a  Phy- 
sician, while  he  was  drinking  a  Draught  of  honeyed  Drink  ; 
Apfjius  SaitJ'eius,  being  come  out  of  the  Bath,  as  he  was 
drinking  honeyed  Drink,  and  supping  an  Egg  ;  P.  Quin- 
tius  Scapula,  as  he  was  at  Supper  with  Aquillius  Gallus  ; 
Decimus  Saufeius,  a  Scribe,  as  he  sat  at  Dinner  in  his  own 
House ;  Cornelius  Gallus,  who  had  been  Praetor,  and  T, 
JEthcrius  a  Roman  Knight,  died  in  the  very  act  of  Venus. 
The  like  befell  in  our  Days  to  two  of  the  Equestrian  order, 
with  the  same  pantomimic  Jester  Mithycus,  who  was  in 
those  days  of  surpassing  Beauty.  But  M.  Ofilius  Hilarus, 

1  Until  the  year  was  accomplished :  an  honour  which  otherwise  he 
was  not  likely  ever  to  attain.—  Wern.  Club. 


246 


History  of  Nature. 


[Booic  VII. 


an  Actor  in  Comedies,  as  is  reported  by  ancient  Writers, 
died  with  the  most  laboured  security  of  Death  ;  for  after  he 
had  afforded  much  Pleasure  to  the  People  on  his  Birth-day 
he  held  a  Feast ;  and  when  the  Supper  was  set  forth,  he 
called  for  some  hot  Drink  in  a  Basin:  and  casting  his  Eye 
on  the  Mask  that,  he  had  worn  that  day,  he  took  off  the 
Chaplet  from  his  Head,  and  set  it  on  it;  in  this  habit  he 
became  cold  before  any  Man  perceived  it,  until  he  that 
reclined  next  to  him  put  him  in  mind  that  his  Drink  was 
growing  cold.  These  are  examples  of  happy  Deaths.  But, 
on  the  other  hand,  there  is  a  very  great  number  of  those  that 
are  miserable.  L.  Domitius,  descended  from  a  noble  Family, 
being  vanquished  by  Ceesar  near  Massilia,  and  taken  pri- 
soner at  Corsinium  by  the  same  CWar,  for  very  irksomeness 
of  Life  poisoned  himself;  but  after  he  had  drunk  the 
Poison  he  did  fill  he  could  to  save  his  life.  We  find  in  the 
Public  Acts,  that  when  Felix,  one  of  the  Red-coloured 
Chariot- drivers,  was  carried  out  to  be  burnt,  one  of  those 
who  favoured  him  threw  himself  into  his  Funeral  Fire.  A 
frivolous  matter  it  is  to  speak  of;  but  they  of  the  other  side, 
that  this  act  should  not  be  ascribed  to  the  honour  of  the 
Artist  abovenamed,  gave  it  out,  that  this  Friend  of  his  did  it 
only  because  his  Head  was  intoxicated  with  the  strong  smell 
of  the  Odours.  Not  long  before  this  M.  Lepidus,1  descended 
from  a  most  noble  Family,  who  (as  is  above  said)  died 
through  Grief,  was  by  the  violence  of  the  Flame  cast  off  from 
the  Funeral  Pile ;  and  as,  because  of  the  extreme  Heat,  no 
one  could  come  near  to  lay  him  again  on  the  place,  he  was 
burnt  naked  on  a  pile  of  dry  Vine  Cuttings,  near  the  former. 

CHAPTER  LIV. 
Of  Burial. 

To  burn  the  Bodies'2  of  the  Dead  was  not  an  ancient 
Custom  among  the  Romans  ;  but  they  Buried  them  in  the 

'  The  cause  of  his  death  is  mentioned  in  the  36th  chapter  of  this 
book.—  Wern.  Club. 

'2  The  practice  of  burning  the  dead  is  of  high  antiquity,  and  as  such  is 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  247 

Earth.  But  after  they  understood  that  the  Bodies  of  the 
Men  slain  in  the  distant  Wars  were  taken  up  out  of  the  Earth 
again,  it  was  appointed  to  Burn  them.  And  yet  many  Fami- 
lies kept  still  to  the  old  Customs:  as  in  the  House  of  the 
Cornelii  no  one  is  reported  to  have  been  burnt  before  L. 
Sylla,  the  Dictator.  And  he  willed  it  through  dread  that  he 
should  be  so  served  as  he  had  done  by  C.  Marius,  whose 
Corpse  he  had  caused  to  be  digged  up.  (In  Latin)  he  is  said 
to  be  Sepultus,  who  is  bestowed  in  any  way ;  but  Humatus 
signified!  that  he  is  covered  with  the  Earth. 

CHAPTER  LV. 
Of  the  Soul,  or  the  Manes.1 

AFTER  Sepulture  there  is  very  great  Obscurity  regarding 
the  Manes  ;  but  this  is  generally  held,  that  in  whatever  Con- 
familiarly  spoken  of  by  Homer.  That  it  was  more  ancient  among  the 
Romans  than  is  represented  by  Pliny  appears  from  Ovid  ;  who  ("  Fasti," 
c.  4)  speaks  of  its  having  been  practised  on  the  body  of  Remus,  the  bro- 
ther of  Romulus.  The  same  is  also  negatively  proved  by  Nutna,  who 
ordered  that  his  body  should  not  be  burned ;  and  by  the  laws  of  the 
Twelve  Tables,  regulations  were  instituted  concerning  it :  chiefly  to  pre- 
vent extravagant  expense  in  the  ceremony.  The  general  fashion  of 
burning,  in  preference  to  interment,  succeeded  to  the  example  set  by 
Sylla ;  after  whose  day  it  was  practised  even  by  people  of  inferior  orders  : 
but  neither  burning  nor  burial  were  allowed  by  law  within  the  bounds 
of  the  city.  An  ordinance  of  Numa  forbade  that  a  woman  who  died  in 
childbirth  should  be  buried,  until  the  child  was  taken  from  her ;  and  the 
usual  ceremonies  were  to  be  omitted  when  the  person  had  been  killed  by 
lightning. — Wern.  Club. 

1  "  Manes  "  was  a  general  term  expressive  of  the  souls  of  men  after 
they  were  separated  from  the  body.  They  were  supposed  to  be  arranged 
in  classes,  according  to  their  moral  condition  :  for  which  see  a  note, 
vol.  i.  p.  24.  But  however  situated,  a  kind  of  deityship  was  supposed  to 
attach  itself  to  them :  and  hence  they  were  addressed  as  Dii  Manes. 
Such  was  the  popular  opinion,  as  referred  to  by  Virgil,  Ovid,  and  other 
writers  who  reflected  the  public  mind ;  but  it  was  scarcely  an  article  of 
faith  among  philosophers  and  the  higher  classes,  whose  opinions  fluctuated 
according  to  circumstances.  As  a  motive  to  moral  obligation  and  respon- 
sibility it  was  exceedingly  feeble. 

Pliny's   observation,  "  that  in  whatever  condition  they  were  before 


'248  History  of  Nature.  [  BOOK  VII. 

ditiori  they  were  before  they  were  born,  in  the  same  they 
remain  when  they  are  dead.  For  neither  Body  nor  Soul 
hath  any  more  Sense  after  Death  than  they  had  before  the 
Day  of  Birth.  But  the  Vanity  of  Men  extendeth  itself  even 
into  the  future,  and  in  the  very  Time  of  Death  Hattereth 
itself  with  a  Life  after  this.  For  some  attribute  Immortality 
to  the  Soul ;  others  devise  a  Transfiguration  ;  some  again 

they  were  born,  in  the  same  they  remain  after  they  are  dead,"  may  he 
understood  as  referring  to  the  Pythagorean  doctrine  of  Transmigration  ; 
which  was  the  most  plausible  account  of  the  disposition  of  the  intelligent 
principle  that  the  Heathens  could  reach  to,  before  Light  and  Immor- 
tality were  revealed  in  the  Gospel ;  but  by  the  almost  contemptuous 
silence  with  which  he  passes  it  over  in  his  argument,  it  appears  that  he 
did  not  feel  disposed  to  credit  it.  With  regard  to  the  station  of  the 
manes,  Plato  supposes  that  impure  spirits  wander  about  among  sepulchres 
and  monuments.  Homer  represents  Elpenor  as  prevented  from  rest 
until  the  funeral  rites  were  paid  ;  and  a  commonly  received  doctrine  was, 
that  there  were  days  sacred  to  Dis  and  Proserpine,  on  which  the  whole  of 
the  secret  and  deep  places  of  the  world  were  thrown  open,  and  the  disem- 
bodied spirits  were  permitted  to  revisit  the  light.  Varro  supposes  that 
this  occurs  three  times  in  the  year :  on  the  feast  of  Vulcanalia,  tenth  of 
the  Calends  of  September,  or  23d  of  August ;  on  the  3d  of  the  Nones  of 
October,  the  Fontinalia,  October  13 ;  and  the  6th  of  the  Ides  of  November, 
or  8th  of  that  month. 

According  to  the  doctrine  of  the  Jewish  liabbis,  derived,  no  doubt, 
from  ancient  Oriental  sources,  "during  the  first  twelve  months  after 
death  the  souls  of  righteous  men  descend  and  ascend  again  "  (Talmud,  tr. 
Sabbath) :  which  Rabbi  Joseph  Albo,  in  the  "  Book  of  Principles,"  c.  xxxi., 
explains  hy  saying,  that  the  soul  does  not  directly  and  at  once  become 
divested  of  those  corporeal  attachments  to  which  it  is  accustomed,  but 
lingers  about  them  until  by  habit  it  becomes  weaned  from  them,  and 
assimilated  to  the  new  condition  on  which  it  has  entered; 

The  gloomy  views  which  even  the  more  virtuous  of  the  ancient  Hea- 
thens took  of  an  invisible  world  is  shewn  by  Homer's  representations  in 
the  "  Odyssey,"  b.  xi. ;  and  by  so  much  of  Etrurian  learning  as,  from 
their  paintings  and  other  representations,  have  descended  to  us.  With  so 
much  distaste  of  a  wearisome  life  on  the  one  hand  (in  which  even  Homer 
joins,  b.  xvii.),  and  on  the  other  the  dim  prospect  of  the  dreary  regions 
below,  we  can  scarcely  wonder  if  even  the  virtuous  Pliny  should  choose 
rather  to  lie  down  in  ashes  without  the  prospect  of  living  again.  The 
greater  portion  of  his  argument,  however,  is  founded  on  his  ignorance : 
his  questions,  then  so  doubtful,  are  such  as  now  even  a  child  may  answer. 
—  Wen,.  Club. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  249 

bestow  Sense  on  those  who  are  in  the  Lower  Regions  ;  and 
they  do  Honour  to  the  Manes,  making  a  God  of  him  who 
hath  ceased  to  be  a  Man  :  as  if  the  Mariner  of  Man's  Breath- 
ing differed  from  that  of  other  living  Creatures  ;  or  as  if 
there  were  not  to  be  found  many  other  Things  in.  the  World, 
that  live  much  longer  than  Men,  and  yet  no  Man  foretells 
the  like  Immortality  to  them.  But  what  is  the  Body  that 
followeth  the  Material  of  the  Soul  ?  where  lieth  her 
Thought?  how  is  her  Seeing,  how  is  her  Hearing  per- 
formed? what  toucheth  she?  nay,  what  doth  she  at  all? 
How  is  she  employed  ?  or  what  Good  can  there  be  without 
these?  I  would  know  where  she  hath  her  abiding  Place? 
and  what  Multitudes  of  Souls,  like  Shadows,  would  there  be 
in  so  many  Ages  ?  Surely  these  are  but  fantastical  and 
childish  Toys,  devised  by  Men  that  would  fain  live  always. 
The  like  Foolery  there  is  in  preserving  the  Bodies  of  Men. 
And  the  Vanity  of  Democritus  is  no  less,  who  promised  a 
Restoration  to  Life,  and  yet  himself  hath  not  come  to  Life 
again.  And  what  an  Instance  of  Madness  to  think  (an  Evil 
in  itself)  that  Death  should  be  the  Way  to  a  life !  What 
Repose  should  ever  Men  have  that  are  born,  if  the  Sense  of 
their  Souls  should  remain  on  high,  while  their  Shadows  are 
among  those  below  ?  Certainly,  this  sweet  Inducement, 
and  Credulity,  destroyeth  the  Benefit  of  the  best  Gift  of 
Nature,  which  is  Death  ;  and  it  doubleth  the  Pain  of  a  Man 
who  is  to  die,  if  he  happen  to  consider  what  shall  befall  him 
in  the  Time  to  come.  For  if  it  be  sweet  to  live,  what  Plea- 
sure can  one  have,  that  hath  already  lived?  But  how  much 
more  easy  and  certain  is  it  for  each  Man  to  trust  to  himself, 
and  to  gather  Reasons  from  the  Experience  that  he  had 
before  he  was  born? 

CHAPTER  LVI. 
The  first  Inventors  of  Things  i?i  Life. 

BEFORE  we  depart  from  this  Discourse  of  Men's  Nature, 
it  seeineth  convenient  to  point  out  their  Inventions,  and 
what  each  Man  hath  discovered.  In  the  first  Place,  Liber 


250  History  of  Nature.  [  BOOK  V 1 1 . 

Pater  appointed  buying  and  selling  ;  he  also  devised  the 
Diadem,  the  Ornament  of  Kings,  and  the  Triumph.  Ceres 
shewed  the  use  of  Corn,  whereas  before  Men  lived  on  Mast. 
She  taught  also  how  to  grind  Corn,  to  knead  Dough,  and 
make  Bread  of  it,  in  Attica.  Italy,  and  Sicily;  for  which  she 
was  reputed  a  Goddess.  She  it  was  that  began  to  make 
Laws ;  but  others  have  thought  that  Rhadamanthm  was  the 
first  Lawgiver.  I  am  of  opinion,  that  Letters  ever  were  in 
Assyria ;  but  some  think,  as  particularly  Gellius,  that  they 
were  invented  by  Mercury  in  Egypt,  and  others  will  have  it 
that  they  came  first  from  Syria.  True  it  is,  that  Cadmus 
brought  into  Greece  from  Phcenice  to  the  Number  of  sixteen ; 
to  which  Paiamedes,  in  the  Time  of  the  Trojan  War,  added 
four,  in  these  characters,  0,  a,  <£,  x.  And  after  him  Simon- 
ides  Melicus1  produced  the  same  Numbers,  Z,  H,  T,  ft :  the 
Force  of  all  which  Letters  we  acknowledge  among  ourselves. 
Aristotle  is  rather  of  opinion,  that  there  were  eighteen  an- 
cient Letters :  A,  B,  r,  A,  E,  Z,  I,  K,  A,  M,  N,  o,  n,  p,  2,  T,  r,  o, 
and  that  the  other  two,  0  and  X,  were  added  by  JEpichan/ms, 
and  riot  by  Paiamedes.  Antidides  writeth,  that  one  in  Egypt 
named  Menon  was  the  Inventor  of  Letters,  fifteen  Years  be- 
fore the  Time  of  Phoroneus,  the  most  ancient  King  of  Greece : 
and  he  endeavoureth  to  prove  the  same  by  Monuments.  On 
the  other  Hand,  Epigenes,  an  Author  as  renowned  as  any, 
sheweth,  that  among  the  Babylonians  there  were  found 
Observations  of  the  Stars  for  720  Years,  written  on  Bricks  ; 
and  they  who  speak  of  the  least,  as  Berosus  and  Critodemus, 
report  the  like  for  480  Years.  Whereby  it  appeareth  that 
the  use  of  Letters  was  eternal.  The  Pelasgi  brought  their 
use  into  Latiurn.  Euryalus  and  Hyperbius,  two  Brothers  at 
Athens,  invented  the  first  Manufacture  of  Bricks  and  the 
Formation  of  Houses  ;  for  before  their  Time  Caves  were  used 
for  Houses.  Gellius  is  of  opinion  that  Doxius,  the  Son  of 
Ccelus,  devised  the  first  Houses  that  were  made  of  Clay ; 
taking  his  Pattern  from  the  Nests  of  Swallows.  Cecrops 
called  a  Town  after  his  own  Name,  Cecropia  ;  which  at  this 

1  Some  copies  read  Medicus,  "  a  physician." —  Wern.  Club. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  251 

Day  is  the  Castle  in  Athens.  Some  will  have  it  that  Argos 
was  built  before  it  by  King  Phoroneus;  and  others  again, 
that  Sycione  was  before  them.  The  Egyptians  affirm,  that 
long  before  that,  their  City  Diospolis  was  founded.  Cinyra, 
the  Son  of  Agriopa,  invented  the  Slating  of  Houses,  and 
Mines  of  Brass :  both  within  the  Isle  of  Cyprus.  He  also 
invented  Pincers,  the  little  Hammer,  the  Lever,  and  the 
Anvil.  JDanaus,  who  was  brought  from  Egypt  to  Greece, 
which  was  then  called  Argos  Dipsion,  first  sunk  Wells. 
Cadmus  at  Thebes,  or,  as  Theophrastus  saith,  in  Phcenice, 
found  out  Stone  Quarries.  Thrason  was  the  first  Builder 
of  Walls  :  of  Towers,  the  Cyclops,  as  Aristotle  thinketh ; 
but  the  Tyrinthii,  according  to  Theophrastus.  Weaving 
was  the  Invention  of  the  Egyptians  ;  and  Dyeing  Wool, 
of  the  Lydians  in  Sardis.  Closter,  the  Son  of  Arachne, 
taught  the  first  making  of  the  Spindle  for  Woollen  Yarn : 
and  Arachnid  herself,  the  Flax  and  Nets.  Nicias  the  Megaren- 
sian  invented  the  Fuller's  Art:  Bocthius,  the  Art  of  Sewing. 
The  Egyptians  will  have  Medicine  to  have  been  discovered 
among  them ;  but  others,  that  Arabns,  the  Son  of  Babylo 
and  Apollo,  was  its  Author.  The  first  Herbarist  and  Apothe- 
cary was  Chiron,  Son  of  Saturn  and  Phyllira.  Aristotle 
thinketh  that  Lydus  the  Scythian  displayed  the  melting  and 
tempering  of  Brass  ;  Theophrastus,  that  it  was  Delas  the 
Phrygian.  Some  think  the  Chalybse  devised  the  working 
into  Vessels  of  Brass,  and  others  attribute  it  to  the  Cyclopae. 
The  Discovery  of  Iron  was  the  Invention  of  those  in 
Crete,  who  were  called  Dactyli  Idsei,  according  to  Hesiod. 
Erichthonius  the  Athenian  discovered  Silver,  or,  as  others 
say,  ^Eacus.  The  Gold  Mines,  together  with  the  melting  of 
the  Metal,  Cadmus  the  Phoenician  first  found  out  at  the 
Mountain  Pangaeus ;  but  others  say,  Thoas  and  Eaclis  in 
Panchaia ;  or  else  Sol  the  Son  of  Oceanus,  to  whom  Gellius 
attributeth  the  Discovery  of  Medicine,  and  of  Honey. 
Midacritus  was  the  first  that  brought  Lead  out  of  the  Island 
Cassiteris.1  And  the  Cyclops  invented  the  working  Iron  to 

1  The  Islands  of  Stilly.  — Wern.  Club. 


252  History  of  Nature.  [BooK  VII. 

use;  Corcebus  the  Athenian,  the  Potter's  Art;  and  therein 
Anacharsi.s  the  Scythian,  or  according  to  some,  Hyperbios 
the  Corinthian,  invented  the  forming  into  a  Globe.  The 
Carpenter's  Art  was  the  Invention  of  Dcedalus,  as  well  as 
the  Tools  :  the  Saw,  the  Hatchet,  the  Perpendicular,  the 
Auger,  Glue,  Fish-glue.  The  Square,  the  Level,  the  Lathe, 
and  the  Key,  were  invented  by  Theodorus  Samius.  Phidon 
the  Argive,  or  Palame.dts,  as  Gellius  rather  thinketh,  found 
out  Measures  and  Weights.  Pyrodes,  the  Son  of  C'dix,  first 
obtained  Fire  from  the  Flint;  and  Prometheus,  the  Means  to 
preserve  it.  in  Ferula  (or  Fennel).  The  Phrygians  invented 
the  Waggon  with  four  Wheels  :  the  Poeni  (Carthaginians), 
Merchandise:  Eumoljms  the  Athenian  discovered  the  culti- 
vation of  Vines  arid  Trees.  Staphylus,  the  Son  of  S'denus, 
taught  how  to  mix  Wine  with  \Vater.  Aristceus  the  Athenian 
invented  the  making  of  Oil,  and  also  the  Press  belonging  to 
it.  The  same  Man  taught  to  draw  Honey  from  the  Combs. 
.Buzyyes  the  Athenian,  or  as  others  have  it,  Triptolemns, 
employed  Oxen  for  the  Plough.  The  Egyptians  were  the 
first  that  had  a  royal  City,  and  the  Athenians  a  popular 
City.  After  Theseus,  the  first  Tyrant  was  Phalaris  of  Agri- 
gentum.  The  Lacedaemonians  first  invented  the  Condition 
of  Slavery.  The  first  Judgment  for  Death  wtss  in  the  Court 
of  Areopagus.  The  first  Battle  was  fought  between  the  Afri- 
cans and  Egyptians;  and  the  same  was  done  with  Clubs, 
which  they  call  Phalanges.  Shields  were  contrived  by 
Prcetus  and  Acriaius,  when  they  warred  against  each  other; 
or  by  Calchus,  the  Son  of  Athamas.  Midias  of  Messene  in- 
vented the  Cuirass,  and  the  Lacedaemonians  the  Helmet, 
Sword,  and  Spear.  The  Carians  contrived  Greaves,  and 
Crests  (upon  Helmets):  Scythes,  the  Son  of  Jupiter,  the  Bow 
and  Arrows;  although  some  say  that  Perses,  the  Son  of 
Perseus,  invented  Arrows.  The  ^Etolians  invented  the 
Lance .  the  Dart  with  a  Loop  was  by  jEtolns,  the  Son  of 
Mars:  the  light  Javelins  and  the  Piluni  by  Tyrrhenus ;  and 
Penthes'dea  the  Amazon,  the  Battle-axe.  Piseus  found  out 
the  Boar-spear  and  Chasing-staff.  Among  Engines  to  throw 
with,  the  Cietes  invented  the  Scorpion :  the  Syrians,  the 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  253 

Catapult :  the  Phoenicians,  the  Balista  and  the  Sling.  Pisevs 
the  Tyrrhenian  first  used  the  hrazen  Trumpet;  and  Arthemon 
the  Clazomenian,  Tortoises.  The  Engine  to  batter  Walls 
(called  sometimes  the  Horse,  and  now  the  Ram)  was  the 
Device  of  Epeus  at  Troy.  Bclleropkon  shewed  first  how  to 
ride  on  Horseback  :  Pelethronius  invented  the  Saddle  and 
Bridle  for  the  Horse.  The  Thessalians,  called  Centaurs, 
inhabiting  near  the  Mountain  Pelius,  were  the  first  that 
fought  on  Horseback.  The  Nation  of  the  Phrygians  first 
joined  two  Horses  to  a  Chariot ;  and  JErichthonius  four. 
Palamedes,  during  the  Trojan  Wa*r,  invented  the  manner 
of  setting  an  Army  in  array:  also  the  giving  of  a  Signal, 
the  Watch-word,  and  the  Outposts  (Vigiliee).  In  the  same 
War,  Sinon  devised  Watch-towers.  Lycanor  was  the  first 
Maker  of  a  Truce  :  Theseus,  of  Alliances  :  Car,  from  whom 
Caria  took  its  Name,  observed  first  the  Flight  of  Birds 
(Augury)  ;  to  which  Orpheus  added  the  Signs  from  other 
Animals.  Delphus  invented  Divination  from  the  Entrails 
(Aruspices) :  Amphiaraus,  that  of  the  Inspection  of  Fire 
(Ignispex)  :  Tyresias,  the  Theban,  that  of  the  Auspices  of 
Birds.  Amphictyon  gave  the  Interpretation  of  portentous 
Sights,  and  of  Dreams.  Atlas,  the  Son  of  Libya  (or, 
as  some  say,  the  Egyptians,  and  as  others  the  Assyrians), 
invented  Astrology  ;  and  in  that  Science,  Anaximander  the 
Milesian  devised  the  Sphere.  The  Explanation  of  the 
Winds  was  given  by  JEohts,  the  Son  of  Helen.  Amphion 
invented  Music.  The  Flute  and  the  single  Pipe1  were 
the  Invention  of  Pan,  the  Son  of  Mercury.  The  oblique 
Cornet  was  by  Midas  in  Phrygia  ;  and  in  the  same  Country 
Marsyas  invented  the  Double  Flute ;  Amphion  taught  the 
Lydian  Measures;  Thamyras  the  Thracian,  the  Dorian;  and 
Marsyas  of  Phrygia,  the  Phrygian.  Amphion,  likewise  (or, 
as  some  say,  Orpheus,  and  according  to  others,  Linus),  played 
first  on  the  Lute.2  Ter pander  added  seven  Strings  to  it; 
Simonides  added  the  eighth  ;  and  Timotheus  the  ninth.  Tha- 
myras was  the  first  that  played  on  the  Lute  without  Song, 

1  Fistula  and  Monaxilus.  —  Wern.  Club.  *  Cithara.—  Wern.  Club. 


254  History  of  Nature.  [  BOOK  VII. 

and  Amphion  sung  with  it,  or,  according  to  some,  Linus. 
Terpander  adapted  Songs  to  the  Lute.  Dardanvs,  the  Troe- 
zenian,  began  first  vocal  Music  to  the  Flute.1  The  Curetes 
taught  to  dance  in  Armour ;  and  Pyrrhus  the  Pyrrhic  Dance ; 
and  both  these  were  first,  practised  in  Crete.  The  Heroic 
Verse  we  owe  to  the  Oracle  of  Pythius  (Apollo}.  About  the 
Original  of  Poems  there  is  a  great  Question.  They  are 
proved  to  have  existed  before  the  Trojan  War.  Pherecydes 
of  Syros,  in  the  Days  of  King  Cyrus,  invented  the  Writing 
in  Prose.  Cadmus  the  Milesian  founded  History.  Lycaon 
appointed  the  first  pubKc  Games  of  Strength  in  Arcadia ; 
Acastus  in  lolcum,  the  first  solemn  Games  at  Funerals  ;  and 
after  him  Theseus,  in  the  Isthmus.  Hercules  instituted  the 
Athletic  Exercises  at  Olympia  :  and  Pythus  those  of  Play  at 
Ball.  Gyges  the  Lydian  first  practised  Painting  in  Egypt ; 
but  in  Greece,  Euchir,  a  Relative  of  Dcedalus,  as  Aristotle 
supposeth  ;  and  according  to  Theophrasfus,  it  was  Polygnotux 
the  Athenian.  Danaits  was  the  first  that  sailed  "with  a  Ship, 
and  so  he  passed  the  Sea  from  Egypt  to  Greece ;  for  before 
that  time  they  used  Rafts,  which  were  invented  by  King 
Erythra,  to  cross  from  one  Island  to  another  in  the  Red  Sea. 
But  we  meet  with  some  Writers  who  suppose  that  the  Tro- 
jans and  Mysians  were  the  first  that  devised  Navigation  be- 
fore them  in  the  Hellespont,  when  they  passed  over-against 
the  Thracians.  And  even  at  this  Day  in  the  British  Ocean, 
there  are  made  Wicker  Boats  covered  with  Leather,  and 
stitched  round  about ;  in  the  Nile,  of  Papyrus,  Cane-reed, 
and  Rushes.  Philostephanus  witnesseth,  that  Jason  first  used 
in  Navigation  the  long  Ship;  but  Egesias  saith,  that  it  was 
Paralus.  Ctesias  attributeth  it  to  Samyras ;  Sapftanus,  to 
Semiramis ;  and  Archimachus,  to  sEgeon.  Damastes  testi- 
fieth,  that  the  Erythraeans  first  made  the  Bireme  (or  Galley 
with  two  Ranks  of  Oars) :  Thucydides,  that  Aminocles  the 
Corinthian  built  the  first  Trireme  (with  three  Rows  of  Oars) : 
Aristotle  saith,  that  the  Carthaginians  were  the  first  that  set 
to  Sea  the  Quadrireme  (with  four  Ranks  of  Oars) :  and 

1  Tibia.  —  Wern.  Cbih. 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  255 

Nesichthon  the  Salaminian,  set  afloat  the  first  Quinquireme 
(with  five  Ranks  of  Oars).  Zenagoras  of  Syracusa  brought 
up  those  of  six  Rows  ;  and  from  it  to  those  of  ten,  Mnesigeton 
was  the  Inventor.  It  is  said  that  Alexander  the  Great  built 
Galleys  with  twelve  Banks  ;  and  P hilostephanus  reporteth, 
that  Ptolemy  Soter  rose  to  fifteen :  Demetrius,  the  Son  of 
Antigonus,  to  thirty:  Ptolemy  Philadelphus,  to  forty;  and 
Ptolemy  P/dlopater,  surnamed  Tryphon,  to  fifty.  Hippus 
the  Tyrian  invented  Ships  of  Burden.1  The  Cyrenians  first 
built  the  Pinnace ;  the  Phoenicians,  the  Ferry-boat ;  the 
Rhodians,  the  Wherry ;  and  last,  the  Cyprians,  the  Hulk. 
The  Phoenicians  were  the  first  that  in  sailing  observed  the 
Course  of  the  Stars.  The  Copeans  devised  the  Oar,  and  the 
Plateans  its  broad  End  :  Icarus,  the  Sails  :  D&dalus,  the 
Mast  and  the  Yard.  Vessels  for  transporting  Horses  were 
the  Invention  of  the  Samians,  or  else  of  Pericles  the  Athe- 
nian. The  Thasii  formed  the  long-covered  Ships :  for  before 
their  Time  they  fought  only  from  the  Stern  and  the  Bow. 
Piseus  added  the  Rostra ;  the  Tyrrhenians,  the  Anchor ;  to 
which  Eupalamus  added  the  two  Claws,  and  Anacliarsis  the 
Grappling-hooks.  The  Stock  was  by  Pericles  the  Athenian  ; 
and  finally,  the  Steering-tackle  by  Typhis.  The  Chief  that 
first  fought  in  a  Fleet  was  Minos.  The  first  that  killed  a 
Beast  was  Hyperbius,  the  Son  of  Mars;  and  Prometheus  first 
killed  an  Ox.2 

1  The  names  of  these  ships  in  the  original  are,  Oneraria,  Cymba, 
Celox,  Cercuros. —  Wern.  Club. 

2  It  has   been  already  remarked,  that  the  Greeks  regarded  as  the 
inventor  of  any  art  him  who  had  communicated  it  to  them ;  and  Pliny 
seeks  no  further  than  to  their  writings  for  authority  in  these  particulars, 
In  the  Book  of  Genesis  (chap.  iv.  &c.)  we  have  more  authentic  particulars 
of  the  invention  of  musical  instruments,    of  tents  to  dwell  in,  and  of 
working  in  metal :  the  latter  by  one  whose  name  seems  to  have  been  the 
origin  of  that  of  Vulcan ;  and  the  following  catalogue  of  discoveries  in 
the  most  ancient  times  is  derived  from  Sanchoniatho,  the  Phoanician :  — 

"  From  Genus,  the  son  of  Protogonus  and  (Eon,  other  mortal  issue 
were  begotten,  whose  names  were  Light,  Fire,  and  Flame.  These  found 
out  the  way  of  generating  fire  by  the  rubbing  of  pieces  of  wood  against 
each  other,  and  taught  men  the  use  thereof.  These  begat  sons  of  vast 
bulk  and  height,  whose  names  were  given  to  mountains  on  which  they 


256  History  of  Nature.  [ BOOK  V IF . 

CHAPTER  LVII. 
Wlterein  first  appeared  the  general  Agreement  of  Nation ft. 

THE  first  silent  Consent  of  all  Countries  hath  agreed  in 
this,  That  they  should  use  the  Ionian  Letters. 

first  seized :  so  from  them  were  named  Mounts  Cassius  and  Libanus, 
Antilibanus  and  Brathys.  Perhaps  it  is  to  these  that  allusion  is  made, 
Genesis,  vi.  4.  The  Protogonus  and  (Eon  here  spoken  of,  being  the 
first  generation  of  mortals,  were  the  discoverers  of  the  way  of  taking 
food  from  trees;  and  their  children,  Genus  and  Genea,  in  a  time  of 
scarcity  in  Phoenicia,  first  worshipped  the  sun,  as  Beelsamin,  or  only 
Lord  of  Heaven. 

"  Hypsuranius,  a  Tyrian,  first  made  huts  of  reeds  and  rushes,  and  the 
paper-reeds.  His  brother  Usoiis  first  invented  covering  for  his  body,  out 
of  the  skins  of  wild  beasts  which  he  could  catch  ;  which  may  be  reconciled 
with  the  narrative  in  Genesis,  iii.  21.  He  consecrated  two  rude  stone 
pillars  to  the  fire  and  wind,  and  worshipped  them  with  the  sprinkling  of 
the  blood  of  wild  beasts  taken  in  hunting.  He  first  ventured  on  the  sea 
in  a  kind  of  raft ;  and  on  his  death  were  first  instituted  anniversary  feasts. 
Many  years  after  him,  Agreus  and  Halieus  were  the  inventors  of  the  arts, 
and  it  would  appear,  the  fathers  of  tribes  who  pursued  hunting  and  fish- 
ing. The  two  brothers  who  invented  the  working  of  iron  were  their 
sons.  One  of  these,  named  Chrysor,  the  same  as  Vulcan,  employed 
charms  and  divinations;  he  invented  the  hook,  bait,  and  fishing-line,  and 
boats  slightly  made :  perhaps  those  covered  with  leather,  mentioned  by 
Pliny  as  used  in  his  day  in  Britain,  and  originally  derived  from  this 
Eastern  source.  This  Coracle,  employed  so  late  as  the  fourth  or  fifth  cen- 
tury of  Christianity  in  crossing  the  British  Channel,  is  still  used  in  Welsh 
rivers,  and  is  figured,  in  its  modern  structure,  by  Mr.  Yarrell  ("  History 
of  British  Fishes,"  vol.  ii.  p.  62,  2d  edit.)  :  a  copy  from  an  ancient  relievo 
in  Montfaucon  is  at  the  end  of  this  volume.  It  was  a  subsequent  race, 
the  Cabiri,  that  formed  the  first  complete  ship.  From  the  last  generation, 
or  Chrysor  and  his  brother,  sprang  two  brothers :  one  called  Technites,  or 
the  artist,  and  the  other,  Ge'inus  Autochthon,  the  home-born  man  of  the 
earth.  These  first  mingled  stubble  with  the  brick  earth,  and  dried  the 
tiling  in  the  sun.  This  accommodation  was  further  improved  by  the  for- 
mation of  courts,  fences,  and  cellars  about  bouses.  They  were  husband- 
men, and  worshipped  a  statue  carried  about  in  a  movable  temple,  drawn 
by  oxen.  This  practice  is  alluded  to  by  the  prophet  Amos,  v.  26,  and 
perhaps  2  Samuel,  vi.  3  and  7.  These  were  the  first  that  employed  dogs 
in  the  hunting  of  wild  animals.  Amynus  and  Magus,  their  sons,  first 


BOOK  V 1 1 .  J  History  of  Nature.  257 

CHAPTER  LVIII. 
Of  the  ancient  Letters.1 

THAT  the  old  Greek  Letters  were  almost  the  same  as  the 
present  Latin  appeareth  by  an  antique  Table  of  Brass,  which 
came  from  the  Temple  at  Delphos,  and  which  at  this  Day  is 
in  the  Library  of  the  Palatium,  dedicated  to  Minerva  by  the 
Emperors,  with  an  Inscription  like  this  on  it:  Navoixodrr^ 
Tiffa/Aivov  "A^va/o?,  jco^a  xa/  ' A6qva  &veOt))tsv :  i.e.  Nausicrates  (the 
Son)  of  Tisamenus  an  Athenian,  caused  this  Table  to  be  made 
and  set  up  to  Minerva. 

formed  villages  and  flocks ;  and  their  sons,  Misor  and  Sydyc  (Wellfreed 
and  Just),  discovered  the  use  of  salt. 

"  Cronus  first  made  a  scimitar  and  spear :  Dagon  invented  the  use  of 
bread  and  the  plough.  Inachus,  whom  Archbishop  Usher  makes  contem- 
porary with  the  Scriptural  Nahor,  was  the  inventor  of  honorary  gold  and 
silver  chains.  The  purple  dye  from  shell-fish  was  discovered  by  the  Phoe- 
nician Hercules,  the  great  navigator  Melcartus,  who  first  passed  through 
the  Straits  of  Gibraltar,  and  visited  Cornwall.  It  is  true,  there  seems  some 
doubt  whether  there  be  not  two  individuals  referred  to  under  this  name, 
one  of  whom  lived  in  the  days  of  Canaan ;  but  if  so,  at  least  they  were 
natives  of  the  same  country,  and  were  both  honoured  by  their  country- 
men as  inventors  of  the  arts  by  which  the  nation  acquired  riches  and 
eminency.  Cronus  first  taught  the  use  of  the  bow  as  a  weapon;  which 
took  place  in  Crete,  an  island  afterwards  famous  for  this  kind  of  skill. 
'  Eupolemus  says  of  Enoch,  that  he  was  the  true  Atlas,  the  inventor  of 
astronomy.'  Finally,  the  infamy  of  having  first  practised  persecution  for 
religion  is  ascribed  to  Cronus,  who  is  supposed  to  be  Ham,  the  son  of 
Noah,  with  the  concurrence  of  the  Egyptian  Thoth ;  but  the  Jews  are 
inclined  to  derive  its  origin  from  the  city  of  Ur,  in  Chaldam,  where  Terah 
was  put  to  death  in  the  fire  (Ur)  :  but  in  either  case  the  act  was  devised 
in  support  of  false  religion,  or  idolatry." — Wern.  Club. 

1  In  the  beginning  of  the  56th  chapter,  Pliny  has  expressed  his  belief 
that  the  Assyrian  letters  are  the  most  ancient  in  the  world :  but  whether 
these  were  the  same  as  in  recent  times  have  been  discovered  among  the 
antique  monuments  of  Nineveh  and  Babylon ;  the  Chaldean  characters 
afterwards  introduced  among  the  Jews  by  Ezra ;  or  the  ancient  Phoeni- 
cian, now  termed  the  Samaritan;  in  either  case  it  is  only  by  passing 
through  great  mutations  that  they  can  be  traced  to  the  Greek  and  Latin 
forms  of  the  days  of  Pliny.  Sanchoniatho  says  that  Taautus,  called  by 
VOL.  II.  S 


258  History  of  Nature..  [ Boo K  V I T . 

CHAPTER  LIX. 
When  Barbers  were  first  at  Rome. 

THE  next  Consent  of  all  People  was  to  entertain  Bar- 
bers; but  they  were  later  among  the  Romans.  The  first  that 
entered  Italy  came  from  Sicily,  in  the  454th  Year  after  the 
Foundation  of  Rome.  They  were  brought  in  by  P.  Ticiniits 
Mena,  as  Varro  reporteth :  for  before  this  they  were  un- 
shorn. The  first  that  took  up  the  practice  to  Shave  every 
day  was  Scipio  Africanus :  and  after  him  cometh  Divus 
Augustus,  who  always  used  the  Rasor.1 

CHAPTER  LX. 
When  was  the  first  Dial* 

THE  third  Consent  of  all  Nations  was  in  the  observation  of 
the  Hours ;  and  this  was  grounded  upon  Reason :  but  at 
what  Time,  and  by  whom  this  was  Invented  in  Greece,  we 
have  declared  in  the  Second  Book  ;  and  it  was  late  before 
this  came  up  at  Rome.  In  the  Twelve  Tables  the  East  and 
West  alone  are  mentioned  ;  after  some  Years  the  Noon  was 
added,  and  the  Consul's  Officer  proclaimed  Noon  when, 
standing  at  the  Hall  of  the  Council,  he  beheld  the  Sun  in 

the  Greeks  Hermes,  found  out  the  first  letters ;  but  these  appear,  from 
his  subsequent  remarks,  to  have  been  what  we  now  term  hieroglyphics. 
It  may  be  the  phonetic  characters,  of  which  Pliny  ascribes  the  invention 
to  Meno  the  Egyptian ;  but  it  is  probable  that  they  are  all  much  more 
ancient.  —  Wern.  Club. 

1  Slaves  and  servants  were  not  permitted  to  be  shaved.  The  Egyp- 
tians were  the  only  people  who  universally  used  the  rasor. — Wern.  Club. 

*  Lumisden  has  some  observations  on  the  Roman  method  of  measur- 
ing time.  "  I  do  not  conceive,"  he  says,  "  how  a  sun-dial  or  any  other 
instrument  could  point  out  the  various  hours,  as  time  was  computed  by 
the  ancient  Romans.  The  time  the  earth  takes  to  revolve  once  round  its 
axis,  or  the  space  between  the  rising  of  the  sun  till  its  next  rising,  which 
makes  a  day  and  a  night,  divided  into  twenty-four  equal  parts,  we  call 
hours.  Now,  the  Romans  divided  the  day  and  the  night  into  twenty-four 
hours.  Twelve  of  these,  from  the  rising  of  the  sun  to  its  setting,  con- 


BOOK  VII.]  History  of  Nature.  259 

that  Quarter  between  the  Rostra  and  the  Grecostasis.  But 
when  the  Sun  inclined  downward  from  the  Column  named 
Mania,  to  the  Prison,  he  proclaimed  the  last  Quarter  (of  the 
Day).  But  this  observation  would  serve  only  on  clear  Days ; 
and  yet  it  was  so  until  the  first  Punic  War.  Fabius  Vestalis 
writeth,  that  L.  Papyrius  Cursor,  the  Prince,  twelve  Years 
before  the  War  with  Pyrrhus,  to  do  the  Romans  a  pleasure 
set  up  a  Sun-dial  on  the  Temple  of  Quirinus,  when  it  was 
dedicated,  his  Father  having  vowed  it  before  him.  But 
this  Author  sheweth  not  either  the  method  of  that  Dial,  or 
the  Workman ;  nor  yet  from  whence  it  was  brought,  nor  in 
what  Writer  he  found  it  so  written.  M.  Varro  reporteth, 
that  the  first  Dial  was  set  up  in  the  common  Market-place' 
upon  a  Column  near  the  Rostra,  in  the  first  Punic  War,  by 
M.  Valerius  Messala,  the  Consul,  presently  after  the  taking 
of  Catana,  in  Sicily ;  from  whence  it  was  brought,  thirty 
Years  after  the  report  of  the  aforesaid  Dial  of  Papyrius,  in 
the  Year  of  the  City  477.  And  although  the  Lines  of  this 
Dial  did  not  agree  with  the  Hours,  yet  were  the  People 
governed  by  it  for  an  hundred  Years  save  one,  until 
Q.  Martins  Philippus,  who  was  Censor,  with  L.  Paulus, 
set  another  by  it,  made  more  carefully.  And  this  gift, 
among  other  things  done  by  the  Censor,  was  highly 
acceptable  to  the  People.  But  notwithstanding  this,  if  it 
were  a  cloudy  Day  the  Hours  were  uncertain ;  and  thus  it 

stituted  their  day;  and  the  other  twelve,  from  the  setting  of  the  sun  to 
its  rising,  constituted  their  night.  Thus,  as  the  seasons  changed,  the 
length  of  their  hours  must  have  varied.  In  winter  the  twelve  hours  of 
the  day  were  short,  and  those  of  the  night  long :  in  summer  they  were 
the  reverse.  How  then  could  these  hours,  of  an  unequal  length,  and 
which  daily  varied,  be  measured  by  an  instrument  ?  I  have  not  been 
able  to  discover  any  method  by  which  this  could  be  done.  However, 
they  had  two  fixed  points,  namely,  mid-day  and  midnight,  which  they 
called  the  sixth  hour.  So  that  a  meridian  line  would  always  point  out 
the  sixth  hour,  or  mid- day." 

That  the  dial  was  a  very  ancient  instrument  for  measuring  time 
appears  from  the  2d  Book  of  Kings,  xx.  11,  and  Isaiah,  xxxviii.  8, 
where  is  the  first  mention  of  it  on  record.  It  probably  was  invented  in 
Babylonia. —  Wern.  Club. 


260 


History  of  Nature. 


[BooK  VII 


continued  five  Years  more.  Then  Scipio  JVasicct,  the  Col- 
league of  Lcenas,  first  divided  the  Hours,  both  of  Day  and 
Night  equally,  by  Water.  And  this  Horologe  he  dedicated 
under  a  Roof,  in  the  Year  of  the  City  595  from  the  Build- 
ing of  Rome.  So  long  it  was,  that  the  People  of  Rome  did 
not  measure  out  the  Light. 

Now  let  us  return  to  the  other  Living  Creatures :  and 
first,  of  Animals  of  the  Land. 


Coracle  referred  to  in  note  at  p.  256.— Montfaucon,  torn.  iv.  pi.  49. 


END  OF  VOL.  II. 


London  : — George  Barclay,  Castle  Street,  Leicester  Square. 


tftttttfttt 


1848-9. 


Those  marked  t  are  Honorary. 

^atrons. 

The  Right  Honourable  the  EARL  OF  ELLESMERE,  F.R.S.  &c.  Belgrave  Square. 
The  Most  Noble  the  MARQUIS  OF  NORTHAMPTON,  Pres.R.S.  &c.  The  Terrace^  Piccadilly 


1  Chester  Terrace,  Chester  Square. 


C.  J.  B.  Aims,  ESQ.  M.  D.? 
and  M.  A j 

treasurer  anB  Director. 
CHARLES  MOXON,  Esa Mineralogy,  Geology     Emmanuel  College,  Cambridge. 

Committee  (in  addition  to  the  Officers}. 

W.  T.  CLARK,  Esa.  F.R.S.       Mechanics Hammersmith 

W.  G.  V.  BARNEWALL,  Esa.)    ,„ 

M.  A \    Classics Cavendish  Hotel,  Jermyn  Street. 

F.  COLLIER,  Esa Mechanics Hoe  Street,  Walthamstow. 

G.  ALEXANDER,  Esa.  F.S.A.     Architecture 30  Bedford  Square. 

Secretary. 

B.  W.  CROKER,  Esa.  C.  E.     \M*%£*?^  Mecha-^  Hammersmith 

Secretartj  far  ISublicattons. 
HENRY  WATKINS,  Esa {^neerin"™1     Enffl'\  19  Dorset  Street,  Baker  Street. 

G.  B.  Greenough,  Esq.  F.R.S.  Geology Outer  Circle,  Regent's  Park. 

W.  Fairbairn,  Esq.  C.  E Mechanics Canal  Street,  Manchester. 

T.  Taylor,  Esq.  M.R.C.S.  . .  Anatomy Bethnal  Green  Road. 

John  Moxon,  Esq Literature 8  Hanover  Terrace,  Regent's  Park. 

Edward  Prior,  Esq.  F.R.B.S.  Literature 48  York  Terrace,  Regent's  Park. 

fJohn  Nickols,  Esq Literature 33  Seething  Lane,  Tower  Street. 

Arthur  Dean,  Esq.  C.E Geology 2  Broad  Sanctuary,  Westminster. 

Henry  Twining,  Esq Literature Wandsworth,  Surrey. 

F.  Brook,  Esq.  MA Classics Ufford  Hall,  Woodbridge,  Suffolk. 

Sir  p'     '<j     '  '  |  Astronomy Collingwood,  Hawkhurst,  Kent. 

G.  J.  Lyon,  Esq.  F.B.S.E.  . .      Botany West  Campbell  Street,  Glasgow. 

*  F.L:sstreeten: Esq:  M:D j  Botany wo^er. 

T.  Shapter,  Esq.  M.D Botany,  Geology Exeter. 

Rev.  G.  B.  Moxon,  B.A.    . .  Botany Sandringham,  Lynn,  Norfolk. 

R.  C.  Pitts,  Esq Geology Norwich. 

W.  J.  West,  Esq.  F.G.S.     ..  Geology,  Botany Tunbridge,  Kent. 

T.  Bodenham,  Esq.  F.B.S.E.  British  Ornithology  Shrewsbury. 

fRev.  T.  Fulcher,  B.A Classics Old  Buckenham,  Norfolk. 

P.  N.  Brockedon,  Esq.  C.E.  Geology 29  Devonshire  Street,  Queen  Square. 

J.  W.  Slater,  Esq Entomology Fan-field,  Manchester. 

Beverley  R.  Morris, Esq.  M.D.  Natural  History York. 

W.  Sherwood,  Esq Entomology Rysome  Garth,  Patrington,  Hull. 

O.  A.  Moore,  Esq Botany York. 

(  Ornithology,  Natural  I  North  Shoebury  Hall,  near  Rochford, 

C.  Parsons,  Esq.  F.L.S j     Histor~\ j      Essex. 


Rev.  G.  Munford 

J.  D.  Salmon,  Esq 

James  Bladon,  Esq 

Henry  Bull,  Esq 

fJames  E.  Moxon,  Esq 

William  R.  Scott,  Esq.  Phil.  D. 

P.  L.  Sclater,  Esq 

Robert  Embleton,  Esq 

J.  W.  Barlow,  Esq 

Mark  Booth,  Esq 

Rev.  W.  Strong  Hore,  M.A. 

Cornelius  Nicholson,  Esq.  . . 

Jonathan  Couch,  Esq.  F.L.S. 
fTheod.  F.  Moss,  Esq 

John  Sharp,  Esq 

David  Moore,  Esq 

J.  G.  Harrison,  Esj.  M.D... 

Robert  Cook,  Esq 

W.  Rayner,  Esq.  M.D 

Octavius  A.  Ferris,  Esq 

E.  J.  Chapman,  Esq 

W.  H.  Hatcher,  Esq.  C.E.  . . 

F.  W.  L.  Ross,  Esq 

Geo.  Wood,  Esq.  F.H.S 

Oct.  Leefe,  Esq 

William  White,  Esq 

C.  R.  Hall,  Esq.  M.D 

W.  R.  Callender,  jun.  Esq.. . 

C.  W.  Peach,  Esq 

V.  O.  Walmesley,  Esq 

Nath.  J.  Holmes,  Esq 

Rev.  F.  Wright,  B.A 

R«v.  W.  W.  Spicer,  B.A.    . . 

Rev.  C.  Parish,  B.A 

J.  B.  Denton,  Esq.  C.E 

W.  Llewellyn,  jun.  Esq 

S.  R.  Ridgway,  Esq 

James  Ward,  Esq 

R.  T.  Abraham,  Esq 

Leslie  Ogilby,  Esq 

Benj.  Kennedy,  Esq.  F.L.S. 
James  Paxton,  Esq.  M.D.  . . 

Rev.  E.  W.  Dowell 

John  Hewson,  Esq.  F.R.C.S. 

Jas.  C.  Dale,  Esq.  M.A 

T.  Nunnelly,  Esq.  F.R.C.S.E. 

Jas.  Thos.  Bell,  Esq 

George  Bird,  Esq 

W.  H.  Allchin,  Esq.  M.B. . . 

Geo.  W.  Turner,  Esq 

J.  C.  Pickersgill,  Esq 

Robert  Baker,  Esq 

Amos  Beardsley,  Esq.  F.G.S. 
J.  Chippendale,  Esq.  F.R.C.S. 

J.W.  G.  Gutch,  Esq 

fW.  H.  F.  Plate,  Esq.  LL.D. 


Botany 

Ornith.  and  Oology. . 

Natural  History 

British  Botany 

Botany 

Ornithology 

Ornithology 

Zoology,  Botany. . . . 
Natural  History. . . . 
British  Ornithology 

Botany 

Geology 

Zoology 

Mineralogy 

I  Botany    (Freshwater  ] 


Botany 

Physiology 

( Entomology  (Lepi- 
\  doptera)  

Anatomy,  fyc 

Geology 

Mineralogy 

Mineralogy 

Natural  History 

Mechanics 

Mineralogy 

Entomology 

^Physiology 

Chemistry,  Geology  . 

Natural  History 

Natural  History 

Mineralogy 

Natural  History. . . . 

Classics 

British  Botany 

Engineering 

Geology 

Natural  Philosophy  . 

Botany 

Entomology 

Botany,  Zoology  . . . 

Botany 

Anatomy 

Ornithology 

Anatomy 

British  Entomology  . 

Anatomy 

Natural  History  . . . 

Anatomy 

( Natural  History,  An-  j 
\  atomy  j 

Natural  Philosophy  . 

Mineralogy 

( Geology,  Agriculture, ) 
\  Sfc $ 

Geology,  Sfc 

Anatomy,  Sfc 

Medicine,  &fc 

Oriental  Languages 


East  Winch,  near  Lynn,  Norfolk. 

Godalming,  Surrey. 

Pontypool,  Monmouthshire. 

Portsmouth. 

Algoa  Bay,  South  Africa. 

St.  Leonard's,  Exeter. 

Hoddington  House,  Odiham,  Hants. 

Embleton,  Northumberland. 

Park  Place,  Greenheys,  Manchester. 

Killerby,  near  Catterick,  Yorkshire. 

33  Trafalgar  Place,  Stoke,  Devonport. 

Stand  Lodge,  Manchester. 

Polperro,  Cornwall. 

United  States  (Philadelphia). 

Tonbridge  Wells. 

Glasnevin,  Dublin. 

4  Piccadilly,  Manchester. 

|  30  Colliergate,  York. 

Stockport. 

Victoria  Park,  Manchester. 

Addison  Terrace,  Kensington. 

345  Strand. 

Broadway  House,  Topsham,  Devon. 

Rpchford,  Essex. 

Richmond,  Yorkshire. 

Godalming,  Surrey. 

SHolmeschapel,      near      Middlewitch, 
Cheshire. 

Mosley  Street,  Manchester. 
Fowey,  Cornwall. 

Westwood  House,  Wigan,  Lancashire. 
Hampstead. 

St.  Stythian's,  Penryn,  Cornwall. 
Puttenham,  near  Guildford,  Surrey. 
West  Hatch,  Taunton,  Somerset. 
Graveley,  Herts. 
The  Wern,  Pontypool. 
Magdalen  House,  Exeter. 
Richmond,  Yorkshire. 
Heavitree,  near  Exeter. 
27  Prussia  Street,  Dublin. 
26  Upper  Harley  Street,  London. 
Rugby. 

Morston,  Holt,  Norfolk. 
Lincoln. 

Glanville's  Wootton,  Dorset. 
Leeds. 

10  Northwick  Terrace,  Maida  Hill. 
Tillerton,  Yorkshire. 

13  Huntley  Street,  Bedford  Square. 

Exeter. 

31  Tavistock  Square. 

Writtle,  Essex. 

Langley  Heanor,  near  Derby. 

10  New  Cavendish  St.  Portland  Place. 

77  Great  Portland  Street. 

5  Montague  Place,  Kentish  Town. 


London :— Printed  by  George  Barclay,  28  Castle  Street,  Leicester  Square. 


University  of  California 

SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 

405  Hilgard  Avenue,  Los  Angeles,  CA  90024-1388 

Return  this  material  to  the  library 

from  which  it  was  borrowed. 


J 


UC  SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 


D     000001  177     5